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Phronsie and the Children 


(See Page 21 .) 








































































PHRGNSIE PEPPER 


THE YOUNGEST OF 2HE FIVE 
LITTLE PEPPERS*^ 


BY 

MARGARET SIDNEY 

\UTHOR OF “ FIVE LITTLE PEPPERS AND HOW THEY GREW," “ FIVE UTTUJ 
PEPPERS MIDWAY,” “FIVE LITTLE PEPPERS GROWN-UP ” 

“old concord: her highways and byways" 

“ THE GOLDEN WEST,” ETC., ETC. 


ILLUSTRATED BY JESSIE McDERMOTT 


) 

> 



> 


BOSTON 

I.OTHROP PUBLISHING COMPANY 



L 1/3 



7 


^ PEPPER ^ 

TRADE-MARK REGISTERED 
^ JAN. 26, 1904. 4- 


Copyright, 1897, 

BY 

Lothrop Publishing Company. 


All rights reserved. 



Thirty-seventh Thousand. 


I I 


TYPOGRAPHY BY C. J. PETERS & SON, BOSTON. 


PKBSSWORK BY BERWICK it SMITH. 




II n fiDemorlam 


TO MY HUSBAND, 

WHO INSPIRED WHATEVER IS 
OF WORTH IN THIS, 

AND IN ALL MY BOOKS. 




















PEEFAOE. 


As Phronsie Pepper was tlie only one of the 

Five Little Peppers ” who had not a chance to 
become grown-up ” in the three books that 
form the Pepper Library, it seemed (to judge bj 
the expressions of those persons interested in 
this family) a little unfair not to give her that 
opportunity. 

The author has had so many letters from the 
elders, as well as the children, presenting this 
view of the case, that she has been brought over 
to that opinion herself. And as Phronsie ap¬ 
peared to have something to say on her own 
account, that the public, ever kind and attentive 
to the Peppers, desired to hear, it was thought 
best to let her speak, to make her appearance 
as “ grown-up,’’ and then to draw the curtain 
over the little brown house ” and the Five 
Little Peppers,” never more to rise. 

IN’othing was farther from the mind of the au- 
vii 



Vlll 


PREFACE. 


thor of the Five Little Peppers ” than a series 
concerning them; for she did not naturally in¬ 
cline to the extension of a book into other vol¬ 
umes. But the portrayal of the lives of the 
Peppers seemed to be a necessity. They were 
living, breathing realities to her; and when 
pressed by many importunate readers to know 
more and more ” about “ Mamsie and Polly, 
Ben, Joel, David, and Phronsie,’’ it was only like 
telling the stories in the twilight hour, of what 
was so real and vital to their author, that it was 
as if she were not speaking, but only the scribe 
to jot it all down as it fell from the lips and 
the lives of others. 

And here let the author state, in answer to the 
question so often asked her, ^^Did the Peppers 
really live ? and was there any little brown house ? ” 
that the whole story is imaginative, existing only 
in her mind ; although they always seemed so alive 
to her, that she let them talk and move and act 
from beginning to end without let or hindrance; 
believing that Margaret Sidney’s part was to 
simply set down what the Peppers did and said, 
without trying to make them do or say anything 
in particular. 


PREFACE. 


IX 


And now the closing volume, that shuts the 
door of the little brown house forever, takes the 
whole scene back to dear old Badgertown ; and 
life begins over again in rollicking, merry, and 
home-y fashion'; and the “ Five Little Peppers,” 
with their troops of friends old and young, con¬ 
trol the book, and say and do and live, just as 
they like, without the meddlesome intervention of 


The Author. 


■ t 


>*?* 


4 


I 


% 


COE'TEI^TS 


CHAPTER I. 

PAGE 

The Little Bkown House. 


CHAPTER II. 

A Badgertown Evening. 


CHAPTER III. 

Johnny . 


CHAPTER IV. 

Can She go to Mrs. King’s Reception ? . 

. . 66 

CHAPTER V. 

Mrs. Jasper King’s Reception .... 


CHAPTER VI. 

Grace . 


CHAPTER VII. 

Polly makes Matters Right . . . . • . 

. . 114 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Alexia collects the News. 

. . 128 

CHAPTER IX. 

Phronsie settles the Matter .... 

. . 144 










2 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER X. PAGE 

Success for Polly. 160 

CHAPTER XI. 

On the way to the Beebes.176 

CHAPTER XII. 

At the Beebes.. 189 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Found .203 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Home Again.217 

CHAPTER XV. 

Some Hingham calls.229 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Mr. Marlowe helps Matters Along .... 245 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Alexia has Grace to Herself.257 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

Grandpapa does the Right Thing.270 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Trying to be Cheery.282 

CHAPTER XX. 

Fire !.296 

CHAPTER XXI. 

Are They all Safe ?.309 

CHAPTER XXII. 

The Shadow turns to Sunshine.322 














CONTENTS. 3 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

The Rest of the Peppers are off.340 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

All together .353 

CHAPTER XXV. 

Everything depends on Polly.367 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

Destruction threatens the Little Brown 
House.383 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

Phronsie’s Marriage Bells!.400 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

Home to the Little Brown House.416 








LIST OF ILLUSTEATIONS. 


Phronsie and the children. Frontispiece, p^ge 

“There! I got it all out alone by myself,” said Barby . 15 

“ Ob, goody! here comes Mr. Tisbett,” howled King . . 26 

“ Oh, what richness! ” sighed Polly.29 

“ Dance me up and down, daddy! ” screamed Elyot . . 32 

“ "We’ve come out to dinner, Polly,” said Alexia . . 42 

“ Somebody take off this! ”.46 

Tying on her big garden hat, Phronsie went across the 

road.55 

“ Johnny! open your eyes,” cried Dick . . •.60 

“ Oh, he’s rolled off,” cried Polly, aghast.63 

“ The idea of a school-girl going to a reception,” said 

Aunt Fay.69 

Grace darted behind a tall fern, and hid her hot, dis¬ 
tressed face.86 

“Are you ill, Miss Tupper — or—Strange?” and she 

laughed unpleasantly.91 

“ I shall get my Mamsie,” cried a small, determined 

voice. 101 

Elyot perched at the foot, where he surveyed Grace at 

his leisure.106 

So Polly went off, her baby on her arm.109 

“ Dear child,” said Polly, “ I know just how you feel ” . 116 

“ Polly’s gone to town,” said Phronsie, cutting off some 

blossoms to add to the bundle in her hand .... 131 

6 















6 


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE 

Phronsie led the little old white-haired woman to the 

vacated seat.150 

The loving cup was filled with pure cold water to the 

brim, “The only thing worthy of it,” said Polly . 168 
With her arms full, Phronsie entered the kitchen . . . 174 

Elyot gathered up his small soul with the best courage he 
could muster, and sat down on a big stone by the side 

of the road.181 

He propped Barhy up against the upper step, and ran and 

peered into the little window strung with shoes . . 193 

There was Barhy in a little wooden chair, eating bread 

and butter with a very sticky face.215 

“ The ‘ Scrannage Girls,’ as their neighbors called them ” 221 
“ There, now, it’s done. Grandpapa, dear,” said Phronsie, 

tucking the bit of paper under the old door .... 241 
Phronsie leaned her head upon Mamsie’s old rocking- 

chair .247 

“ Ar-goo! ” said Algernon, finding it very pleasant to pull 

at the pillow-shams.262 

Barhy hurried over to Grace. “I’m sorry, too,” she 

said: “and I’ll take the bears”.290 

“Now, Celestine,” said Mr. Bayley, rolling a fresh cigar¬ 
ette, “ the Peppers are perfectly well able to take care 

of themselves.”.297 

“Bless the Lord, Phronsie,” he lifted his sea-cap rever¬ 
ently, “ we’re almost there.”.305 

“The sailor roared out, “ The ship’s on fire! ” and was 

plunging on.312 

“ I must go to Grandpapa,” cried Phronsie, “ save her; ” 

and dashed off by herself.316 

And I say, “ Boo, grandmamma! ” laughed Barhy con¬ 
fidentially .324 

Polly threw herself on her knees by Mainsie’s big four- 

poster .327 













LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGK 

“ Of course,” cried Polly, with kindling eyes, “splendid 

old Joel would do just that very thing, Davie ” . . 333 

“.She’s gone; and I don’t never ’xpect to live to see her 
again, nor him, nor those pretty creeters,” went on 

Grandma.350 

“There,” said Joel, marching across the room, “I’m as 
good as new, made over, and patched up, and war¬ 
ranted.” .356 

Oh, when Polly found herself in the dear arms, and felt 

the dear eyes upon her.365 

Old Mr. King stood in front of Polly waiting for her to 

proceed.374 

“ O my bressed Chilluns! ” mourned Candace .... 391 

Johnny whirled around to see the heap of papers and 
shavings on the floor in the merriest little blaze im¬ 
aginable .397 

“We might as well all be dead, as to have the little 

brown house burnt up,” said Alexia.403 

“ An’ I want to hev the priv’lege to drive yer par up 

too,” said Mr. Tisbett.421 

The little children from the Dunraven Home marched 
around Phronsie and her husband, each giving her a 
white rose as they passed.433 










PHEONSIE PEPPEE. 


CHAPTER I. 

THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE. 

CHlLDEEISr! ” said Phronsie softly, what 
Vy are you doing ? 

They’re pulling all the hair out of my mam- 
sie’s cushion/’ shouted King-Fisher, in a tone of 
anger; and, struggling with the two delinquents 
on the floor, he bestowed several smart pulls on 
the chubby shoulders bent over their task. 

Oh, oh ! ” cried Phronsie, dropping needle and 
scissors, and the little sheer lawn bit destined to 
adorn Mamsie’s head, the lace trailing off by itself 
across the old kitchen floor, as she sprang to her 
feet. ^^IJow can you. King?” 

Stop pulling all the hair out of my Mamsie’s 
cushion, Barby,” screamed King-Fisher, very red 
in the face. Look at that, now! I’ll bite you, 
if you don’t stop ! ” 


9 



10 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


0 King ! ” Phronsie seized his arm, as he 
began to set his white teeth on the little fat 
arm. 

Barby sat still in the middle of the floor, both 
hands grasped tightly around the old calico cush¬ 
ion, which she huddled close to her small bosom. 

Go ’way ! ” she commanded, her blue eyes flashing 
at him from her tangle of brown hair. Go right 
’way, bad, naughty boy! ” 

I’ll take care of him. There, now, see if you 
come biting round here. Mister King! ” The other 
figure deserted the old hair cushion pulled out of 
the rocking-chair, and, throwing itself on the un¬ 
suspecting King, rolled over and over, pommelling 
and puffing furiously. 

0 children, children ! ” cried Phronsie in great 
dismay. Just then the door opened, and in walked 
old Mr. King, bending his handsome white head to 
clear the doorway. 

“ Well — well — well! this is beautiful upon my 
word ! ” Then he burst out laughing. 

“ 0 Grandpapa! ” exclaimed Phronsie, clasping 
her hands in distress, this is so very dreadful! 
Do make them stop ! ” 

Konsense ! Let them alone,” said the old gen- 


THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE. 


11 


tleman, in the midst of his laugh. I don’t doubt 
King-Fisher has been putting on airs, and Polly’s 
boy is aching to take it out of him. That’s right, 
Elyot, give it to him ! I dare say he deserves 
it all, every bit.” 

Grandpapa,” begged Phronsie, hurrying up 
to clasp his arm entreatingly, “do please make 
them stop. They’re in the little brown house. 
Grandpapa ; only just think, the little brown 
house. Please make them stop ! ” 

“ To be sure,” said old Mr. King, pulling him¬ 
self out of his amusement, and wiping his face, 
“that is a consideration. Come, now, boys, hold 
up there; you must finish all this out-of-doors, 
if you’ve got to.” 

“ O Grandpapa ! ” interposed Phronsie, “ please 
tell them not to finish at all. Make them stop 
always.” 

“Well, at any rate, you must stop now, this 
minute ; do you hear ? ” He stamped his shapely 
foot, and the combatants ceased instantly. King, 
in the sudden pause, finding himself at last on 
top. 

“ I could have beaten him all to nothing,” he 
declared, puffing violently ; “ but he jumped whack 


12 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


on me, and my arm got twisted under, and — 
and •— 

Never mind the rest of it,” said Grandpapa 
coolly; of course you’d have beaten if you could. 
Well, Elyot, you did pretty good for a boy of 
five.” 

‘‘ He was biting my sister,” declared Elyot, 
squaring up, with flushed cheeks, and clinching 
his small fists. 

Oh — oh ! ” cried Barby, who had held her 
breath in delighted silence while the encounter 
was in progress; and running up, her brown hair 
flying away from her face, she presented a* fat 
arm for the old gentleman’s inspection. 

I don’t see any bite,” he said, after a grave 
scrutiny of it all over. 

^^Not yet,” said Barby, shaking her brown 
head wisely ; but it was coming — it truly was. 
Grandpapa.” 

“ Don’t worry till your miseries do come, lit¬ 
tle woman; ” he swung her up over his white 
head, then put her on his shoulder. 

There Phronsie used to perch,” he said, smil¬ 
ing over at the young girl. 

“ 0 Grandpapa, she’s too big — why, she’s 


THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE. 13 

Aunt Phronsie, and she’s most dreadful old,” 
said Barby, leaning over to look at him. 

Well, she used to sit just where you are, 
Miss,” repeated the old gentleman. Now, you 
be sure you’re always number two.” He pinched 
her toes, making her squirm and squeal. 

What’s numtwo ? ” she asked at length, all 
out of breath from play. 

Lucky you don’t know,” said the old gen¬ 
tleman, his mouth close to her ear; well, it’s 
just always after number one, and never gets in 
front. There, now, jump down, and help Phron¬ 
sie patch it up with the boys.” He put her on 
the floor, and went over to the corner, to sit 
down and view operations. 

Phronsie, meanwhile, had a boy each side of 
her, both trying to get into her lap at once. 

“ It would just kill Mamsie,” she said mourn¬ 
fully, to think of you two boys behaving so, 
and she’s only gone a week ! ” 

There was an awful pause. The old gentle¬ 
man over in the corner kept perfectly still; and 
Barby, finding all obstructions removed, placidly 
engaged in completing the destruction of Mother 
Fisher’s cushion. 


14 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


And you promised her, King, you’d be a good 
boy, and be nice to the children.” 

I — forgot,” blurted out King, winking very 
fast, and not looking at Elyot. I — I — did. 
Don’t look so, Phronsie,” he mumbled; and in- 
sta^ly after his head went over in his sister’s 
lap, and he sobbed in her dress, Don’t write 
her, Phronsie — don’t! ” 

And to think,” said Phronsie, gravely regard¬ 
ing Elyot, that you should fly at him, when he 
only wanted to protect Mamsie’s dear old cush¬ 
ion. 0 Elyot! I am so surprised at you for 
pulling it to pieces.” 

“ I only wanted to see inside it; you said 
Mamsie and Uncle Ben made a Santa Claus wig 
of it once; I was going to put it right back,” 
said Elyot stoutly. Yet he looked at the ceiling 
diagonally, not trusting himself a glance into 
Phronsie’s brown eyes. Say, you don’t sup¬ 
pose Grandmamsie will know ? ” he asked sud¬ 
denly. 

“ I suppose I must tell Mamsie everything,” 
said Phronsie soberly. “ I promised to, you 
know. And, besides, we always have.” 

Elyot shivered all over his small frame, while 


THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE. 


15 


King howled, and burrowed deeper than ever in 
Phronsie’s lap. 

But I can tell her how^ sorry you two boys 
are,” Phronsie went on, “and that you never. 



"There! I got it all out alone by myself," said Barby. 


never will do such a naughty thing again ; that 
is, if you never will, boys.” 

“ Oh, we never will! ” they both protested over 
and over; and King came up out of his shelter. 













16 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


and wiped his eyes, and the two put their arms 
around each other, and made up splendidly; 
then turned to hear Barby say, There, I got 
it all out alone by myself; ’’ and there was the 
hair out of Mamsie’s cushion all sprawled over 
the floor. 

AVhile the children were picking this up, and 
crowding it back into the big calico cover, 
Phronsie making Elyot do the best part of the 
work, as he was older, and had helped Barby 
along. King Avorking vigorously, as penance, old 
Mr. King called, “Now, Phronsie, I want you, 
as those youngsters seem to be straightened 
out; ’’ and she had gone and sat on his knee, 
her usual place in a conference. 

“ Well, I’ve just done such a good stroke 
of work, child,” he said complacently, pulling 
softly the golden waves of hair that lay over 
her cheek. 

“ What, Grandpapa ? ” she asked, as he seemed 
to wait her reply. 

“Yes, such a good piece of work,” he ran on. 
Then he chuckled, well pleased. “ You must 
know, Phronsie,” for he was determined to tell 
it in a way to suit himself, “that I was sitting 


THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE. 


17 


on the back veranda — Polly’s gone to town 
to-day, you know.” 

Yes, Grandpapa.” 

Well, and the house was quiet, thanks to 
you and the little brown house, and I had a 
chance to read the morning paper in peace.” 
This he said, unconscious of the fact that every 
one knew quite well he courted the presence of 
the children on any and every occasion. ^^Well, 
I had considerable to read; the news, strange to 
say, is very good, really very good to-day, so 
it took me quite a long time.” He forgot to 
mention that he had lost himself a half-hour 
or so in a nap; these occurrences were never 
to be commented on in the family. ^^And I 
was turning the paper — it’s abominable that 
editors mix things up so; it’s eternally turning 
and returning the sheet, to find what you want. 
It’s very hard, Phronsie, when we pay such 
prices for articles, that we cannot have them to 
suit us, child.” ’ 

Yes, Grandpapa,” said Phronsie patiently. 

Well, don’t look at those youngsters, 
Phronsie; they’re all right now. They won’t 
fight any more to-day.” 


18 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


0 Grandpapa ! ” 

I mean it, child. Well, I was turning that 
contemj)tible paper for about the fiftieth time,— 
I wanted to read Brinkerhoff’s editorial, — when 
I caught sight of a figure making around the 
lawn to the front veranda. Thinks I, ‘ that 
looks wonderfully like Koslyn May.’ ” 

The pink glow in Phronsie’s round cheek went 
suddenly out. 

^‘And so it was, as sure as you’re here on my 
knee.” He had her hand in both of his, and was 
affectionately pressing it. “ Yes, Phronsie, there 
was that fellow. So I jumped up, and told John¬ 
son to send him around to me; and he came.” 

Old Mr. King drew a long breath of pleased 
reminiscence. Phronsie sat quite still, the after¬ 
noon sunlight that streamed through the wes¬ 
tern window glinting her yellow hair. Her hands 
lay in Grandpapa’s, and her eyes never wavered 
from his face. But she said nothing. 

^^You don’t ask me anything, Phronsie,” said 
the old gentleman at last. ‘‘ Hey, child ? ” pinch¬ 
ing her ear. 

^‘No, Grandpapa, because you will tell me your¬ 
self.” 


THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE. 


19 


And so I will; you are a good girl not to 
badger me with questions. Well, he came about 
the same thing, Phronsie, — wanted to see you, 
and all that. But I couldn’t allow it, of course; 
for, if I did, the next thing, you would be wor¬ 
ried to death by his teasing. And that’s all 
out of the question. Besides being decidedly un¬ 
pleasant' for you, it would kill me.” 

Would it. Grandpapa ? ” Phronsie leaned for¬ 
ward suddenly, and held him with her brown 
eyes. 

^^Not a shadow of doubt,” he answered prompt¬ 
ly; shouldn’t live a month if you went off 
and got married, Phronsie.” 

I wouldn’t go off and get married. Grand¬ 
papa ! ” exclaimed Phronsie. I could stay with 
you then; didn’t Koslyn say we could, and you 
would always go with us if we went away ? 0 

Grandpapa, you didn’t think I would ever leave 
you! ” She threw her arms around his neck, and 
clung to him conv^sively. 

Yes, yes, that’s right,” said the old gentleman, 
immensely pleased, and patting her on the back 
as if she were a child of three; “ but you see 
this is nothing to the point, Phronsie, nothing 


20 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


at all.’’ Then he went on testily, You’d belong 
to somebody else besides me, and that would be 
the same as being a thousand miles away. And 
as long as I’m sure you don’t love him, Phron- 
sie,” — which he had found out by taking care 
not to ask her, — ‘‘why, I’ve done just the very 
best thing for you, to send him away about his 
business.” 

“ Did he ask to see me ? ” Phronsie sat up 
quite straight now, and waited quietly for the 
answer. 

“ AYhy, of course he did; but I knew it would 
only trouble you to see him.” 

“0 Grandpapa — just one little minute — I 
wouldn’t have let him stay long. Couldn’t you 
have sent him over here just for one minute ? ” 

“Nonsense! You’re so tender of his feelings, 
it would only have been hard for you. No, I 
thank my stars, Phronsie, I saved you from all 
this trouble. What you would do, child, if it 
were not for your old Granddaddy, I’m sure I 
don’t know. Well, he’s gone, and I told him 
never to come back again with that errand in 
view; and I only hope to goodness it’s the last 
time I shall be so worried by him.” 


THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE. 


21 


There, we’ve got the hair all in,” announced 
King triumphantly, rushing up, followed by the 
other two, Barby wiping her grimy little hands 
in great satisfaction over her white apron. Now 
please say we’ve been good boys, and ” — 

^^And a good girl,” chimed in Barby, flying 
after with red cheeks. 

^^And sew up the old cushion,” begged Elyot. 
This would be almost as good fun as the pulling 
it open had been, to see Phronsie sewing it tight, 
and she could tell them stories meanwhile. 

^‘Let the cushion wait,” began Mr. King. 

^^But, Grandpapa, the hair may get spilled out 
again,” said Phronsie gently, and getting off from 
his knee. “1 really think I ought to do it now. 
Grandpapa dear.” 

Yes — yes,” cried all the children, hopping up 
and down; ^‘do it now — do it now, Phronsie.” 

So Phronsie found her thimble and scissors 
once more, and got out the coarse brown thread 
from her little sewing-bag, and sewed the big 
seam in the old calico cushion fast again, the 
children taking turns in poking the wisps of hair 
in the crevice. 

^‘Now tell all what you used to do when you 


22 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


lived here — just here,’^ demanded Elyot, patting 
the old floor with his hand, every single thing, 
Phronsie; for the children, except on rare occa¬ 
sions, never called her ‘^Aunt.’’ Don’t leave 
out anything you did in the little brown house. 
Now begin.” 

‘‘ 0 Elyot,” said Phronsie, I couldn’t tell it 
all if I tried ever so hard.” 

Polly tells the best stories,” said King, push¬ 
ing and picking the hair into place in the last 
corner. 

“ So she does,” said Phronsie; “ there now, 
King-Fisher, that’s all you can do. Look out; my 
needle is coming up there,” as King with a final 
pull settled the last little wisp into place. 

Let me — let me,” begged Barby, thrusting 
her little hand in. I want to do it last. Let 
me. King.” 

^‘No,” said King stoutly, hanging to the cor¬ 
ner. I shall; it’s my mother’s cushion.” 

0 King,” began Phronsie gently, Mamsie 
would like it better if you let Barby do it. She’s 
so little.” 

“She’s always pushing, just the same,” said 
King stoutly, “as if she was big folks.” 


THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE. 


23 


<^Well, if you want to please Mamsie, you’ll 
let her do it,” went on Phronsie, pausing with 
needle in mid-air. Hurry, now, children; I can’t 
wait any longer.” 

^‘You may, Barby,” declared King, relinquish¬ 
ing with a mighty effort the pinched-up corner. 

There, go ahead,” and he winked fast at her 
great satisfaction while she pushed and poked the 
wisps in with her fat little finger, humming con¬ 
tentedly meanwhile. 

Phronsie hashed a smile over at King. “Kow, 
children,” she said, ‘‘ you must know we were 
very poor in those days, and” — 

What is poor ? ” asked Barby, stopping singing. 
I know,” said Elyot; it’s wearing rags like 
the ashman. Oh, I wish I could ! ” 

Oh, no ! ” cried Phronsie in horror; that isn’t 
poor; that’s shiftless, Mamsie always used to 
say. Oh, we were just as nice! Well, you can’t 
think, children, how spick and span everything 
was ! ” 

What’s spick ’n’ span ? ” demanded Barby. 
Make her stop,” cried Elyot crossly; ‘‘ we shall 
never hear all about it if she keeps asking ques¬ 
tions every minute. Kow go on, Phronsie.” 


24 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Well/’ said Phronsie, now that corner’s all 
done beautifully, Barby; take care, or I shall 
prick your linger. Why, Polly would scrub and 
scrub the floor and the table, till I used to try 
to see my face in them, they Avere so bright.” 

‘^They’re bright now,” declared both the boys. 
Jumping off to investigate. Barby pushed her 
hair back from her round cheeks, and leaned 
over. ‘‘ I don’t see my face, Phronsie,” she ex¬ 
claimed. 

‘‘ No, and I couldn’t see mine ; but I always 
tried to, for Polly kept them so bright, and one 
day I remember I was scrubbing Seraphina, 
and ” — 

“ Who’s Seraphina ? ” burst in Barby, coming 
back to crouch at Phronsie’s feet. 

Ow ! • Be still! ” cried Elyot, Avith a small 
pinch. 

Seraphina was my very first doll, the only 
child I ever had until Grandpapa gave me all 
th'e rest,” Phronsie sent a smile over to the old 
gentleman in the corner, and she’s in Mamsie’s 
big bureau in the bedroom noAv.” 

‘‘ I’m going to see,” declared all three children 
at once, hopping up. 


THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE. 


Oh, no ! you mustn’t,” said Phronsie ; not 
till this cushion is done. Then, if you’re very 
good. I’ll show her to you.” 

We’ll be just as good,” they all cried, as 
we can be,” r,iid running back to sit down on 
the floor again at her feet. ‘‘Do go on,” said 
Elyot. 

“ You see, I wanted Seraphina to be just as 
nice as Polly kept things; and so I was scrub¬ 
bing her with soap and water one day, when 
Polly called out, ‘ 0 Phronsie! the big dog’s out 
here that scared the naughty organ-man; and the 
boy; ’ and before she could wipe my hands and 
my face, for you see I’d got the soap all over 
me too, I ran to see them, and Jasper kissed 
me, and got the soft soap all in his mouth.” 

“ Ugh ! ” cried King, with a grimace. 

“Yes, that’s just the way Japser looked, and 
that’s what he said too! ” said Phronsie, going on 
with the recital. 

“Who was Japser?” demanded Barby. 

“ Why, he was our Popsie,” said Elyot, who had 
heard the story many times. “Now do stop talk¬ 
ing, Barby. Well, go on,” he begged, turning 
back to Phronsie. 


26 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


^‘And I couldn’t say Jasper,” said Phronsie, 
^^and then sometimes we called him Jappy.” 

How funny ! ” laughed all three. Oh, goody ! 
here comes Mr. Tisbett,” howled King in a sud¬ 
den rapture, lifting his head to see the top of the 



"Oh, goody! here comes Mr. Tisbett," howled King. 


old stage through the window. Why, he’s stop¬ 
ping here! He’s stopping here!” and, tumbling 
over the other two. King found his feet, and 
pranced off over the big flat doorstone, and down 


THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE. 


27 


the path, Elyot and Barby flying after, to see 
Mr. Tisbett open the stage door with a, ^^Here 
you be, ma’am, and the boy too.” 

Grandpapa,” cried Phronsie, taking one look 
out of the window, ^Gt’s Mrs. Fargo and Johnny!” 

The mercy it is ! ” exclaimed the old gentle¬ 
man ruefully. ^^Well, good-by, Phronsie, to any 
sort of peace, now that boy’s come!” 


28 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


CHAPTER 11. 

A BADGERTOWN EVENING. 

«T)00KS ! I’ve a fine packet for you to- 
D night, Polly.” Jasper’s eyes glowed. 
Polly ran up to meet him. 

“ 0 Mamsie ! let me take the books — let 
me! ” Elyot thrust in his small figure between 
them, and tugged at the parcel. 

“You take yourself off, yi^ung man,” said his 
father. “Now, Polly,- hold your arms.” 

“Oh, ’what richness ! ” sighed Polly ecstati¬ 
cally, “ as Alexia would say; ” and, clasping her 
parcel closely, she sank into a big chair, and 
examined her treasure. “ 0 Jasper ! ” she cried, 
isn’t it just magnificent to be a publisher’s 
wife ! ” 

Jasper laughed, and swung his boy up to his 
broad shoulder. 

“ I thought you’d like them, Polly,” he said 
with great satisfaction, looking at her. 


A BADGERTOWN EVENING. 


29 


“ Like them ! ” repeated Polly in a glow. 
Then she sprang to her feet, tossed the whole 
pile into the easy-chair, and ran up to her hus¬ 
band, putting her hand wdthin his arm. But 
where is the bag, Jasper?’’ she asked suddenly. 



“Oh, what richness!" sighed Polly. 


^‘Well, the fact of it is, Polly,” said Jasper 
slowly, left the bag at the office. Just for 
this night,” he added, as he saw her face. 




30 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Why, Jasper ? ” asked Polly quickly, the 
color dropping out of her cheek. 

Well, the truth is, I was afraid,^^ began 
Jasper. 

‘‘ Oh! go on, and dance me up and down. 
Daddy,” screamed Elyot, beating his heels with 
all his might. 

Polly laid her hand on the small feet. ^^No, 
no, dear; Mamsie’s going to talk now. Why, 
Jasper ? ” she asked again. This time she stood 
quite still, and looked at him. 

Jasper swung his boy lightly to the ground. 

Off with you! ” he cried with a laugh, and El¬ 
yot scuttled away. Now, Polly,” as he put his 
arm around her, and drew her to a seat, ^^the 
fact is, I thought you wouldn’t sit down and go 
over those books to-night if I brought out the 
bag.” 

And so I wouldn’t,” declared Polly. Of 
course not, with the dear old bag waiting. How 
could I ? ” 

‘^That’s just it,” said Jasper; ^<and it’s not fair 
for me to bring the bag, with those waiting, 
either; ” he nodded over at the untied packet and 
the new books scattered about. ^‘You ought to 


A BADGERTOWN EVENING. 


31 


have at least one go at them before being tied 
down to business matters.’’ 

Polly broke loose from him, and ran over to 
the easy-chair. ^‘And did you think I would so 
much as look at these once ? ” she cried, her face 
flushing up to the brown waves. Oh! oh ! I 
just detest them now.” She looked down at the 
pile with the same face that she carried in the 
little brown house when the old stove burned 
Mamsie’s birthday cake. 

^^But, Polly,” said Jasper, hurrying over to 
comfort her, ^^you see it’s just this way. Pm 
tying you down too much to business detail, and 
you ought to be enjoying yourself more, dear.” 

‘‘And don’t you suppose, Jasper,” cried Polly, 
turning on his troubled face a radiant one, “ that 
lovely old bag is just the dearest dear in all the 
world next to you and the children ? Oh, say 
you will never leave it again! Do say so, Jas¬ 
per ; ” she clung to him. 

“ I am so afraid I’m making your life too full 
of care, Polly,” said Jasper gravely, “to bring 
the bag out every night. And this evening we 
might go over the new books, and have a break 
in the routine for once.” 


32 


. PHRONSIE PEPPEK. 


<^And let you work over all your papers alone. 
Jasper/' cried Polly, aghast. 0 Jasper! " 



" Dance me up and down, daddy! " screamed Elyot. 

I can find time to do them, dear; don't worry. 
And it would be better for you." 

‘^And indeed it would be the worst thing in 





A BADGERTOWN EVENING. 


33 


all this world, dear,” protested Polly, shaking 
her brown head. 1 should be so dismal, Jas¬ 
per, you can’t think, without our lovely time 
working together after dinner. When the bag is 
done, then we’ll play and read, and do all sorts 
of things. But that first hour is the best of the 
whole evening, Jasper; it truly is.” 

^‘I’m sure I love it,” cried Jasper, with kind¬ 
ling eyes; “ I never could do it so well without 
you, nor in half the time, Polly.” 

^‘Well, then you must just promise you’ll 
never leave the bag back in the office,” said 
Polly, laughing. ^^.Promise now, Jasper.” 

suppose I must,” said Jasper, laughing too. 

Here come Alexia and Pickering,” looking down 
the carriage drive. 

We’ve come out to dinner, Polly, if you want 
us,” said Alexia, hurrying in, Pickering’s tall fig¬ 
ure following. Goodness me ! how you can live 
so far out of town, I don’t see! ” 

So you say every time I chailce to meet you. 
Alexia ” said Jasper. 

‘‘Yes, and that’s the reason she’s decided to 
try it herself,” said Pickering with a drawl. 

“ 0 Alexia! ” Polly gave her a small hug, as 


34 


PHEONSIE PEPPER. 


she helped her off with her things, are you 
really coming to Badgertown ? Oh, how nice ! ’’ 

Pickering is always springing things on me, 
and telling everything I say,’’ said Alexia, try¬ 
ing to send a cross grimace over at her husband, 
but ending with a short laugh instead, “ and 
just because I said I wanted to have a house 
near you, Polly, he’s got it into his head I’m 
coming out here to live.” 

Pickering indulged in a long laugh. 

And I think it’s a shame,” declared Alexia, 
with a very injured face, ^^to have one’s hus¬ 
band go about, and spoil all one’s surprise par¬ 
ties — so there ! ” 

Then you really do mean to come to Badger¬ 
town to live. Alexia ? ” cried Polly with sparkling 
eyes. Oh, you dear ! how perfectly delight¬ 
ful ! ” 

‘^1 suppose I’ll have to, Polly,” said Alexia, 
“ as I must be just as near you as I can get. 
But I do think Badgertown is utterly horrid, and 
you ought to be ashamed to live out here so far. 
I’m dying to have that cunning little yellow 
house on the hill, Polly,” she broke off suddenly, 
‘^with the barberry bushes in front, and we’ve 


A BADGERTOWN EVENING. 


35 


come out here to see it after dinner. Now you 
know it all; only I was going to ask you to go 
out and take a walk, and then bring you up there 
with a flourish, and give you a grand surprise. 
And now it’s as tame as tame can be.” She 
shook her finger at Pickering, who bore it like a 
veteran. 

How’s baby ? ” asked Polly, when the wraps 
were off, and they were all seated on the long 
veranda for a talk. 

He’s the dearest little rat you ever saw,” 
said Alexia, who couldn’t forgive her boy for not 
being a girl, whom she could call Polly. He’s 
two teeth, and four more coming.” 

Alexia always counts those teeth that are 
coming with so much gusto,” said Pickering. 

And why shouldn’t I ? ” cried Alexia. “ It 
would be perfectly horrid if he stopped with two 
teeth; you know it would yourself, Pickering. 
And to-day, Polly Pepper, you can’t think ” — 

I decidedly object to having my wife called 
Polly Pepper,” said Jasper, trying to get on a 
grave look. Polly Pepper King is all right. 
But be sure to put on the King.” 

Oh! we girls shall never call her anything 


36 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


else but Polly Pepper — never in all this world, 
Jasper/’ said Alexia carelessly. ‘‘ Well, you tell 
wliat baby did to-day, Pickering. I’m quite tired 
out with all iny trial of getting here, and the 
disappointment of my surprise spoiled.” She 
leaned back in the rattan chair, and played with 
her rings. 

Our child,” said Pickering solemnly, de¬ 
veloped a most astonishing mental power this 
morning, and actually uttered two consecutive 
syllables like this, ^ Ar-goo ! ’ ” 

“ So did Elyot at the same tender age,” ob¬ 
served Jasper, “and Barby too, I believe.” 

“Now, you just be quiet, Pickering!” Alexia 
cried, starting forward; “ and aren’t you ashamed, 
Jasper, to help him on? Baby actually-said the 
most beautiful words; he really and truly did. 
And that’s what I wanted to come out for to¬ 
night, Polly, as much as to look at the house, 
to tell you that baby’s talking; and he’s only 
eight months old ! Think of that, now I ” 

“ I met Boslyn May down town to-day,” said 
Pickering when the laugh had subsided. 

“ Did you I ” exclaimed Jasper. 

Polly stopped laughing at one of Alexia’s sal- 


A BADGERTOWN EVENING. 


87 


lies, and met her husband’s eyes. His look said, 
“ Strange he did not come out here.” 

^^Yes; he just got in day before yesterday, 
he told me, from England. I couldn’t under¬ 
stand what he came over for.” 

“ He is going to stay some time, I suppose,” 
said Jasper, ‘^now he’s here.” 

Ho, he was on the way to the steamer, when 
we ran across each other on Broadway, — sailed 
to-day on the Cunarder; that is, he said he was 
going to.” 

He waS going right back! ” exclaimed Polly; 
and going over to Jasper’s side, she lay her hand 
on his. What do you mean, Pickering ? ” 

^/It’s just so, Polly,” said Pickering, feeling 
awfully that he must make the sad droop in her 
eyes, and the color go out of her face. 

He probably is coming back soon — he may 
have been cabled back — a dozen things may 
have happened,” said Jasper. Don’t feel so 
badly, dear.” 

Well, Phronsie must never know he has 
been over,” said Polly. Promise, Alexia, you 
never ’ll tell her! You won’t, dear, will you ? ” 
She ran over and put her arms around Alexia. 


38 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Horses won’t drag it out of me,” declared 
Alexia. I won’t ever mention Hoslyn May 
to ” — 

Hush. ! — hush ! here she comes,” warned 
Polly frantically, pinching Alexia’s arm to make 
her stop. 

Oh, mercy ! Well, I didn’t say anything,” 
said Alexia. 

Phronsie came around the veranda corner in 
her soft white gown. We’re going to have a 
candy party to-night,” she said. 

^^And a peanut party,” cried the children at 
her heels, as they scurried over the veranda 
steps. • ^^Tell it all, Phronsie; tell it all.” 

‘^And you’re just in time. Alexia and Pick¬ 
ering,” said Phronsie, with a smile, “to come 
over to the little brown house after dinner, to 
the party.” 

“And you’ve got to pull candy with me, Mrs. 
Dodge,” declared Elyot, who just adored her, 
racing up to possess himself of her long white 
fingers, glittering with rings. 

“ Oh, mercy me! I can’t. Why, I’ve on my 
best dress,” she said, to tease him. 

“ Mamsie will let you have one of her 


A BADGERTOWN EVENING. 


39 


aprons/’ he cried, ^‘or my nice Mrs. Higby will. 
I’ll go and ask her.” 

‘^No, I’m going to; Mrs. Higby will let me 
have the aprons,” shouted Barby, turning her 
back on her father, in whose lap she had thrown 
herself, and rushing after him. 

u yVe’re all in for it, I see,” said Pickering. 
^^Well, King, you’re my boy, seeing the others 
have got champions. What do you want? I’ll 
see you through this candy scrape.” 

‘M’d rather have my brother Jasper,” said 
King, not over politely, ‘^but I’ll take you.” 

0 King ! ” remonstrated Phronsie gently. 

Let him alone, Phronsie,” said Pickering. 

King is delicious when unadulterated. Well, 
my boy, so I’ll consider myself engaged to you 
for this evening at the party.” 

^^All right,” said King coolly. 

‘^And Mrs. Higby says we can have all the 
aprons we want,” announced Elyot, rushing back. 

And she’ll boil the candy while we’re at 
dinner,” piped Barby, tumbling after. 

^‘This knocks your pretty plan of gazing at 
the yellow house, sky-high. Alexia,” whispered 
Pickering, under cover of the noise. 


40 


PHKONSIE PEPPER. 


it doesn’t,” she retorted. We’ll go af¬ 
terward, when the children are abed. It’s moon¬ 
light, and we can see it just as well.” 

Think of choosing a house by moonlight! ” 
laughed Pickering. 

Just as well as to choose it by sunlight, as 
long as we can see,” said Alexia, jingling the 
house-key they had secured from the agent on 
the way up. ‘^Yes; we’ll have quite time before 
we take the train home.” 

‘‘ Oil, you can’t go home to-night! ” cried Polly 
and Jasper together. ‘‘ The idea! with a party 
and house-hunting on your hands. Stay over. 
Alexia.” 

I must be in town at eight in the morning,” 
said Pickering, getting out of his chair to stretch 
his long legs and look at the hills. Alexia can 
stay if she wants to.” 

‘‘ As if I could or would, when my husband 
can’t,” she cried. And there’s that blessed 
child left all alone ! ” 

“ But since he’s learned to converse,” said 
Pickering, ^^he can ask for his rations. So he’s 
not to be considered.” 

‘^Well, I’m perfectly shocked!” declared Al- 


A BADGERTOWN EVENING. 


41 


exia. ^^And I shall go home with you in the 
late train.’’ 

Oh, the candy frolic of that night! Everybody 
had such a glorious time that the little old kitchen 
rang with the jollity that flowed over, taking in 
all Primrose Lane, and down as far as Grand¬ 
ma Bascom’s ” little cottage. ‘^Grandma” now 
had to lie abed with her rheumatism; but Polly 
and Jasper found time to slip away a bit in the 
midst of the festivities and carry her a little dish 
of the candy before the nuts were put in, for 
Grandma” didn’t like nuts, and she did like 
molasses candy. And Polly carried a few other 
things in a small basket on her arm. 

^^For I never shall forget, Jasper,” she said as 
they hurried along, how good Grandma was the 
day Phronsie hurt her toe. Oh, that horrible old 
^ receet ’ of Mirandy’s wedding-cake ! I thought 
it would kill me to wait for it. Dear, dear,” 
laughed Polly, ^^how we do remember, don’t we, 
Jasper, things we used to do when we were chil¬ 
dren ? ” 

I’m sure I never want to forget what we did 
in the little brown house,” said Jasper. ^^Well, 
Grandma was always good, I remember, bringing 


42 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


raisins and all that. Now, Polly, we must tell 
her every single bit of Joel’s last letter; for 
she’ll question us up just as closely, you may be 
sure.” 



"We've come out to dinner, Polly," said Alexia. 


I know it,” said Polly, hanging to his arm; 
^^and Joel thinks as much of Grandma as she 
does of him. It’s so nice of him, Jappy, isn’t 
it?” 

“ Oh, yes, indeed!” said Jasper, nodding briskly; 






A BADGERTOWK EVENING. 


43 


‘‘for no matter how tired Joe is, — and he must 
get awfully used up sometimes, Polly, with that 
big parish of his, — he’s always doing something 
for her. It was fine for him to buy her that big 
easy-chair with the first money he had saved up 
after he paid father back for his education.” 

“Dear, beautiful old Joel!” cried Polly, with 
shining eyes. 

“ How upset father was,” exclaimed Jasper, in 
a reminiscent mood, “ when Joe made him take 
that money back. I declare, Polly, I never saw 
him so upset in all my life I ” 

“It was right for Joel to make him,” said 
Polly stoutly. 

“Yes, I know it. But Bather had so set his 
mind on doing it for Joe.” 

“But Joey couldn’t take it to keep,” declared 
Polly. “ You know he really couldn’t, Jasper.” 

“ Of course not,” said Jasper quickly. “ But 
what we should have done without Phronsie to 
make the peace between them, I don’t know. 
Well, here we are.” 

“ See, here,” cried Alexia, Mrs. Higby’s red 
plaid apron working all up her long figure, as 


44 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


she had tied it by the strings around her neck, 
if somebody doesn’t go over and call Polly 
Pepper home, why I’ll just go myself.” She 
brandished the big wooden spoon, a few drops 
of molasses trailing off over the floor. 

I suppose that is meant for me,” said Pick¬ 
ering, placidly eating the big piece he ought to 
have been pulling, as I’m the only one she 
orders round.” 

Horrors! ” cried Alexia, glancing along the 
tip of the spoon, ‘^just see the mischief I’ve 
done! Now the Peppers won’t ever let me in 
this kitchen again.” 

^‘I’ll wipe it up,” said Elyot, running over to 
her, with sticky hands, and face streaked with 
molasses. 

Oh! ” exclaimed Alexia with a grimace, and 
edging away. Oh, my goodness, me! and see 
my husband eating candy like a little pig, and 
me in this dreadful scrape.” 

“ I wish I was your husband,” said little Elyot, 
getting down on his knees; and, seizing the first 
thing he could find, which proved to be a fine 
damask napkin, he began to vigorously mop the 
floor. 


A BADGERTOWN EVENING. 


45 


Mercy me ! what have you got ? ’’ cried 
Alexia, her sharp eyes peering at him. Oh! 
give it to me.” She seized it from his hand, 
and threw down the spoon. “ Come along, do,” 
and she hauled him out into the entry. It’s one 
of Polly Pepper’s bestest napkins; we brought it 
over on the cake-plate. Now we must just douse 
it into a pail of water; but goodness knows 
where that is.” 

Hoh! ” said Elyot, ‘‘ I know where there’s 
one, just as easy as not. Come on.” 

It was now his turn to haul Alexia, and he 
did it so successfully that she was soon over the 
little steps, and in the “Provision Poom.” 

“ If ever I’m thankful,” she sighed gratefully, 
“ it is to see that sticky mess come out,” when 
Elyot had delightedly plunged the napkin into a 
pail of water standing in the corner. “ Oh, my 
goodness me ! if it had spoiled that; and it’s one 
of her great big embroidered K’s, too! Well, 
come on; we must run back, or the whole troop 
of them will be after us. Wring it out and hang 
it up, do ! Now come on.” 

She picked up her skirts, and skipped over the 
steps, Elyot scuttling after, in time to hear Pick- 


46 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


ering say, Evidently my wife doesn’t intend to 
take the train with me, for she’s disappeared.” 



I haven’t disappeared at all; I’m here,” 
cried Alexia at his elbow. ‘‘The idea! Why, 




A BADGERTOWN EVENING. 


47 


Pm going to look at the house on the hill; but 
’tisn’t time yet,’^ drawing a long breath. 

Going to look at the house on the hill! Well, 
I guess you won’t to-night,” said Pickering, tak¬ 
ing out his watch; it’s just a quarter of ten, 
and the train leaves at ten. So, good-by. Alexia; 
you’ve got to stay all night.” 

Oh, I can’t — I won’t! ” cried Alexia. Oh, 
dear! somebody take off this horrible old apron,” 
wildly twisting this way and that. 

^‘1 will — I will,” cried little Elyot, fumbling 
at the strings. 

Oh, dear — dear ! ” wailed Alexia, “ my face 
is all stuck up ; somebody — where’s Mrs. Higby ? 
Oh, somebody wash it, please! ” She was rush¬ 
ing around after her bonnet now, Elyot hang¬ 
ing to the apron-strings valiantly, this process 
tying them tighter than ever at each step. 

Here, hold on, can’t you! ” roared Pickering. 
“ You’ll never get her undone at that rate.” 

^^Yes, I will, too,” cried Elyot, tugging away, 
and tumbling against Mrs. Higby with a towel, 
wet at one end, in her hand. 

Oh, dear, dear! and that blessed child at 
home alone,” cried Alexia. Mercy! here’s my 


48 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


best bonnet down by the coal-scoop. Well, as 
long as I’ve got anything to put on my head I 
suppose I should be thankful. Oh, dear! where’s 
that wet towel ? Do cut the strings of this hor¬ 
rible old apron — Oh, dear! what shall I do ! ” 
She whirled around on them all, as the door 
opened, and in ran Polly and Jasper, with glow¬ 
ing cheeks. 

“Por goodness sake. Alexia!” began Polly. 

^^Whew! Is it a menagerie?” cried Jasper. 

‘^Well, it’s bad enough to go visiting, and have 
your friends run off to see horrible old women,” 
said Alexia, whirling more than ever, without 
coming back to laugh at one’s misery. Oh, 
that’s a dear, Mrs. Higby I ” as that good lady’s 
scissors clicked, and set her free. ^^I’ll bring 
you out a new pair of strings next time I come. 
Come on, Pickering — good-by, everybody ; ” and 
she was out and running down the path by the 
time he found his hat. 

Oh dear! ” and back she came again, I for¬ 
got my face; it’s all stuck up. Do, somebody, 
wash this molasses off.” And Polly gave her a 
dab with the wet towel, and a little kiss at the 
same time. 


A BADGERTOWN EVENING. 


49 


You didn’t wash it in the right place/’ grum¬ 
bled Alexia, running off again; ‘‘ it was the other 
cheek. ‘‘ Oh dear, dear ! Come on, Pickering; 
we shall lose the train.” 


50 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


CHAPTER HI. 

JOHNNY. 

« TT THAT a pity that Johnny couldn’t come to 
VV the candy party,” sighed Phronsie the 
next day, looking over at the little brown house 
across the lane, which presented the same serene 
appearance, as if such jovial affairs had not 
been; ^Hut I suppose Mrs. Fargo knew best, and 
he really was too tired, as they’d just come.” 

Mrs. Fargo surely does know best,” said 
Polly, stopping long enough in her trial of a 
very difficult passage in the sonata to fling this 
over her shoulder to Phronsie; for you know, 
Phronsie, Johnny is just awful when he’s tired 
out.” 

Yes; I know,” said Phronsie, with another 
sigh, ‘Hut then he’s Johnny, you know, Polly.” 

“And the dearest dear of a Johnny too!” 
cried Polly warmly, going on with her practising. 
“0 Phronsie, supposing I shouldnH play this—- 


JOHNNY. 


51 


good! She stopped suddenly, and leaned both 
hands on the music-rest at the dreadful thought. 

Phronsie stopped looking over the children’s 
books on the table, and, setting them straight, 
came' over to her side. 

You can’t make a mistake,” she breathed 
confidently. Why, Polly, you play it beauti¬ 
fully ! ” 

“But I may,” broke in Polly recklessly. “Oh, 
I may, Phronsie ! And then, oh, dear! I could 
never hold my head up in all this world. It 
would be so very dreadful for Jasper and the 
children, for me not to play it as it ought to 
be.” 

Phronsie leaned over Polly’s shoulder, and put 
two soft arms around her neck. “ You will 
play it good, Polly,” she declared; “and Mamsie 
would say, — I know she would, — that you’re 
not to think of what you’ll do at the time, till 
the time comes.” 

“You blessed child!” cried Polly, whirling 
around on the music-stool. “ 0 Phronsie ! you’re 
just such a comfort as you were that day when 
Grandpapa, brought you and put you in my arms, 
when I broke down practising, and I’d almost 


52 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


made up my mind to go home. Now, then, I’ll 
just stop worrying, and play ahead.’’ 

And she sat up straight, and flashed all the bril¬ 
liant passages over again, Phronsie standing quite 
still to watch Polly’s fingers flying up and down. 

But, notwithstanding all Phronsie’s comfort, 
Polly knew that she would have to give hard 
and constant work to make this, the supreme 
effort of her life thus far in a musical way, a 
success. It was the first time that anybody out¬ 
side of the highest professional lines had been 
asked to play with the Symphony Orchestra; and 
when this urgent request had been laid before 
Polly, she had said, Oh, no ! I cannot play well 
enough.” 

But Mrs. Jasper King’s reputation as a pian¬ 
ist had gone farther than Polly knew. A request 
came, signed by a long list of people whose names 
were high in an artistic sense, fortified by the 
best citizens of the good old town of Berton, — 
itself a guaranty of anything in that line, for 
was it not the home of the Symphony ? When 
this came, and Polly saw Jasper’s eyes, she gave 
a little gasp. will, dear, if you think best,” 
she said, looking at no one but him. 



JOHNNY. 


53 


It’s just as you say, Polly,” Jasper had 
answered. But his eyes shone, and he instinc¬ 
tively straightened up with pride. And when 
she had said, ^‘0 Jasper! if you think I can. I’ll 
do it,” — ‘‘I know you can, Polly,” Jasper had 
declared, and Polly had said Yes,” and great 
delight reigned everywhere ; and Grandpapa had 
patted her head, and said, “Well done, Polly! 
To think of all those hard hours of practice in 
the old days turning out like this; ” and Mamsie 
had smiled at her in a way that only Mamsie 
could smile. And Polly and Jasper had hur¬ 
ried off to Berton the next morning, Jasper 
swinging the little publishing-bag, on the way to 
the' train, with a jubilant hand ; and in the lapse 
of the hard working hours, when things eased 
up a bit, he had said to Mr. Marlowe ( for it 
was Marlowe & King now, in bright gilt letters 
over the big door), “ I am going with my wife 
to select the music,” for Polly was a prime favor¬ 
ite with Mr. Marlowe, and everything was told 
to him. 

And Jasper and Polly went to the music-store, 
and ransacked the shelves, and tried various se¬ 
lections, for Polly was to play what she liked; 


54 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


and after the piece was picked out, then the two 
went to luncheon at the cunning little restaurant 
on a side street, nice and quiet, where they could 
talk it all over. 

But sometimes, when Polly was all alone in the 
big music-room opening on the side veranda, she 
trembled all over at the terrible responsibility 
she had taken upon herself. It seemed so very 
much worse to fail now that she bore Jasper’s 
honored name, than if she were only unknowm 
and simple ‘‘ Polly Pepper.” And to-day she 
could not help showing this dismay to Phronsie. 

“But Mamsie would say so,” repeated Polly 
over and over to herself bravely, “ just what 
Phronsie did.” And then at it she would fly 
harder than ever. And every evening after the 
“publishing-bag” had been looked over in Jas¬ 
per’s and Polly’s little den, and its contents 
sorted and attended to for the morrow, Jasper 
would always say, “Now, Polly, for the music;” 
and Polly would fly to the piano, while he drew 
up a big easy-chair to her side, to settle into it 
restfully; and the others would hurry in at the 
first note, and then Polly’s concert would begin. 
And every night she knew she played it a little 


JOHNNY. 


55 


bit better, and her cheeks glowed, and her heart 
took comfort. 

Phronsie put away the little sewing-bag as 
soon as Polly finished practising this morning. 



Tying on her big garden hat, Phronsie went across the road. 

and hung it on its hook over Grandpapa’s news¬ 
paper rack, — for she always sat and sewed in 
the music-room mornings when Polly practised, 
generally making sails for the boys, just as Polly 
had done years ago, or clothes for Barby’s dolls, 


56 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


— and tying on her big garden hat, she went over 
across the road, and down around the corner, to 
the big house where Mrs. Fargo and Johnny had 
come to board for the summer, arriving a week 
earlier than they intended, as it was warm at 
home, and Mrs. Fargo watched jealously over 
Johnny’s health. 

It does seem so very nice to have you here, 
dear Mrs. Fargo,” she said, coming upon that 
lady in one of her big square rooms. For Mrs. 
Fargo had taken the whole upper floor of the 
house, and was in the depths of the misery of 
unpacking the huge trunks with which the rooms 
and hall seemed to be full, the maid busy as a 
bee in the process, while Johnny was under foot 
every other minute in a way terrible to behold. 

And now I’m going to help.” She laid aside 
her big hat on the bed. 

0 Phronsie! ” cried Mrs. Fargo, turning a 
pink, distressed face to her, ^‘it’s perfectly lovely 
to see you; but you’re not going to work, dear. 
It’s bad enough for me. Joanna, the nails aren’t 
out of that box of books. You’ll have to go 
down, and tell Mr. Brown to come and draw 
them.” 


JOHNNY. 


57 


I’ll draw them,” cried Johnny, springing out 
from behind a trunk he was trying with all his 
might to move. I’ve got my own hammer; yes, 
sir ee ! Now get out of the way; I’m coming.” 

^‘0 Johnny! you can’t,” remonstrated Mrs. 
Fargo quickly. “You’re not big enough; it 
needs a strong man.” 

“I’m ’most a man,” said Johnny, twitching 
away from her. “ I’m going to do it.” 

“ But your hammer is in the box of your 
playthings,” said Mrs. Fargo, glad to remem¬ 
ber this. 

“ I don’t care; I’ll get Mr. Brown’s, then,” de¬ 
clared Johnny, prancing off. 

“ Oh, dear me! Phronsie, do stop that boy,” 
begged Mrs. Fargo, tired and distressed. 

“ Johnny,” called Phronsie softly. She did not 
offer to go after him. “ Come here, dear.” 

“ Am going for Mr. Brown’s hammer,” said 
Johnny, edging off. 

“ I want you, dear.” 

“ Am going for Mr. Brown’s hammer.” Yet 
he came back. “ What you want ? ” 

“ I’m going to ^take you over with me, if your 
mamma says so, to our house; and if you’re veiy 


58 


PHKONSIE PEPPER. 


good, Johnny, you shall ride on the donkey. May 
I take him, Mrs. Fargo ? 

“ Oh, if you only will! ” breathed Mrs. Fargo 
thankfully. 

I don’t want any old hammer! ” screamed 
Johnny in a transport; the donkey’s a good 
deal gooder,” scrambling down the stairs. 

“ And I’ll send Mr. Brown up to open the 
box,” said Phronsie, tying on her hat, and going 
after him. 

But she didn’t get Johnny over to the donkey, 
after all; for, just as she had seen Mr. Brown 
on his way up-stairs to open the box, some one 
ran up the steps, two at a time, with, O Phron¬ 
sie, I’ve a day off!” most joyfully. 

^^Why, I don’t see how, Dick,” said Phronsie, 
looking at him from under her big hat. 

“ Never mind. I have it, anyhow; tell you 
later. Now for some fun! That chap here ? ” 
looking suddenly at Johnny, who now began at 
the bottom of the steps to howl to Phronsie to 
hurry for the donkey. 

Yes; they came a week sooner than they ex¬ 
pected,” said Phronsie. They got here yester¬ 
day.” 


JOHNNY. 


59 


^^Botheration! Well, now, Phronsie, let the 
boy alone. I’m only here for a day, you know. 
He’s all right if turned out in the dirt to play. 
I Want you to go to drive.” 

“ I promised him he should ride on the don¬ 
key,” said Phronsie. I had to, for his mother 
and Joanna have all the unpacking to do. And 
he must, Dick.” 

Hand him over to me, then,” said Dick. I’ll 
give him a donkey-treat, Phronsie.” 

Oh, thank you, Dick; and then I can help 
Mrs. Fargo,” turning back to the door. 

‘‘ See, here,” cried Dick; I’m doing this to 
help you out of it. How, you’ve got to go to 
drive with me afterward, Phronsie.” He stopped 
with his foot on the upper step, and looked at 
her. Grandpapa said I might try the new pair 
next time I came out. Will you?” 

“We can take Johnny,” said Phronsie, pausing 
a bit. “Yes, Dick, I’ll go.” 

“ Bother him for a nuisance! ” growled Dick. 

But as this was all that he could get from 
Phronsie, he hurried off, and overtook Johnny 
trying to get on by himself to the donkey’s back, 
where he peacefully browsed in the paddock. 


60 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Hold on there ! ” roared Dick at him, as 
only a college boy can roar. But Johnny was in 
no mind to hold on to anything but the donkey. 
This he did so effectually, sticking his toes into 
the sides of the animal, that the donkey at last 
sent out a hind foot. Away went Johnny, half 



across the field, it seemed to Dick, hurrying up; 
and then he lay still as a stone. 

“ Oh, dear! ’’ cried Dick, in the greatest dis¬ 
tress. “Here, Johnny, open your eyes,’’ kneeling 
down beside him on the grass. “ Come, get up, 
and stop shamming; ” for there was a dreadful 


JOHNNY. 


61 


feeling at Dick’s heart, that, if he didn’t keep 
joking about it, Johnny would be found to be 
hurt. 

But Johnny wouldn’t get up, and he wouldn’t 
open his eyes; so Dick was forced to pick him 
up, the donkey, finding that he incommoded no 
one by running away, now trotting up to stare at 
the little figure on the grass. Here, give me 
some of that water,” cried Dick hoarsely, to one 
of the stable boys, who appeared around the 
paddock with a pail. “ Dash it over his face,” 
as the boy came shambling up. Donkey kicked 
him — oh, my goodness ! he doesn’t stir,” as the 
contents of the pail streamed over Johnny’s face. 

‘H’ll carry him for you,” said the boy, setting 
down the pail. 

^^You get out — oh ! beg your pardon — I’ll 
carry him myself.” 

Just then Polly looked out of the window, 
humming the last bars of her sonata. 

Why, Dick ! as she spied him, how funny 
that jou ’re home. Oh, what ” — as she caught 
sight of a little boy’s figure in his arms. 

^^It’s Johnny,” said Dick, lifting his pale face 
to the window, as he hurried along. But Polly 


62 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


didn’t hear; speeding over the stairs, she ran 
out to the lawn, and over the walk to the pad¬ 
dock-edge. “ 0 Dick ! ” she exclaimed again. 
Then she held herself in check, as she saw his 
face. I believe he’s all right,” she began cheer¬ 
fully. 

He’s dead ! ” declared Dick hoarsely, and 
staggering on. 

Oh, no, Dick ! — oh, no ! protested Polly, hur¬ 
rying by his side. Bring him in here,” she 
said, pointing to the side veranda. 

Dick still staggered on, up the steps, and into 
the house. 

Oh, if Papa Pisher were only here! ” sighed 
Polly; then she looked at Dick. “ But how nice 
it is that there’s such a good doctor here. You 
know, Father Pisher told us to send for him if 
anything was the matter with us. There, lay 
Johnny on the sofa here, and then run, Dicky, 
do, and get the doctor. He lives on Porter 
Boad, the third house this way. Take the pony- 
cart. Dr. Phillips is his name,” she called after 
him; then she touched the electric bell at her 
elbow. 

^‘Tell Mrs. Higby to come here at once,” said 


JOHNNY. 


63 


Polly to the maid, who popped in her head in 
obedience to the summons. 

I must get some hartshorn,” said Polly; he 
won’t stir, poor boy. I’ll run up to my room 



"Oh, he’s rolled off," cried Polly, aghast. 


and get it.” In less time than it takes to tell 
it, Polly was off and back, to find Mrs. Higby 
just arrived in the doorway, saying, Did you 











64 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


want me, Ma’am ? Jane said as how one of the 
boys was sick.” 

0 Mrs. Higby! ” gasped Polly, the color be¬ 
ginning to come back to her cheek. It’s Johnny 

— on the lounge. Here, I’ve the hartshorn,” 
holding up the bottle. He was kicked by the 
donkey — Dick’s gone for the doctor.” All this 
in one breath, as they were going across the 
room, the good woman in advance. 

I don’t see,” — began Mrs. Higby. 

And some one must tell Mrs. Fargo,” mourned 
Polly, back of the ample figure. “ Why — where ” 

— for the sofa was empty. 

“ Oh, he’s rolled off! though how he could, I 
don’t see,” said Polly, aghast, and tumbling down 
on her knees to peer under the sofa, Mrs. Higby 
pulling it out from the wall to facilitate matters. 

He was just as if he were dead. 0 Mrs. Higby ! 
where do you suppose he is ? ” 

^^I’m sure I don’t know,” declared Mrs. Higby, 
thoroughly alarmed; like enough, Mrs. King, it’s 
flew to his head, and he’s gone crazy.” 

At this direful prospect, Polly set up a most 
diligent search here, there, and everywhere a 
small boy of eight would be supposed to rest 


JOHNNY. 


65 


under such conditions, assisted as well as she 
could be by Mrs. Higby, whose ample figure, im¬ 
pelled by her fright, knocked down more articles 
than she could well set to rights again, until at 
last they were compelled to call in others to the 
search. 

And in the midst of it all, they heard a shout 
out in the direction of the stables; and, running 
out to the veranda, they saw Johnny triumphantly 
sticking to the donkey’s back, while he waved a 
small switch the stable-boy had just obligingly cut 
for him. 

^‘Pay him up now for your tumble,” advised 
the boy. 

See, I did get on all by myself! ” shouted 
Johnny at them. Punned away when Mrs. King 
went up-stairs; ” then he turned, and waved his 
stick at Dick and Dr. Phillips driving at a furi¬ 
ous pace into the side yard. 


66 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


CHAPTER IV. 

CAN SHE GO TO MRS. KING’s RECEPTION? 

T’LL ask Uncle Carroll. Uncle Carroll, sha’nT 
i Aunt Fay take me ? Please say yes.’’ 

^^No use to ask him, Grace ; you’re too young.” 

Please, Uncle Carroll, don’t mind what Aunt 
Fay says. Just you say I’m to go.” 

Where ? ” he dropped his paper. 

^^Out to Mrs. King’s reception to-morrow af¬ 
ternoon.” 

Nonsense ! You’re too young.” 

Child, I told you so,” said Aunt Fay quietly, 
slipping the cosey on the tea-pot again. 

Too young! ” Grace pulled savagely at the 
girlish hair on her brow, and twisted her long 
braid hanging down her back, up high on her 
head. 

I’ll do up my hair, and pull down my face — 
so,” lengthening her round cheeks — anything, 
to just get the chance of going,” she cried. 0 


CAN SHE GO TO MRS. KING’S RECEPTION? 67 


Uncle Carroll! and I’m sixteen. You’re positively 
cruel.” 

You’re nothing but a school-girl,” said Aunt 
Fay; the idea of going to a reception.” 

Why, those receptions of Mrs. King’s are 
packed; you don’t seem to understand, Grace; 
and you’d take the standing-room of some one 
else,” added Uncle Carroll. 

I’d take my own standing-room,” declared 
Grace positively, ^<and I wouldn’t tread on other 
people’s toes; ” seeing a chance for her, since the 
two guardians of her peace had begun to argue 
the point. Just think, I’ve never seen the 
King house nor Miss Phronsie.” 

‘^Well, she’s a raving, tearing beauty,” said 
Uncle Carroll, and worth going miles to see, 
I tell you.” 

^^And I want to see Mrs. King again,” cried 
Grace, pursuing her advantage. “I got a peek 
at her once, when she came to call at the Urys- 
dales. Bella and I heard she was in the draw¬ 
ing-room, and we crept in behind the cabinet. 
She was just lovely; and the color kept coming 
and going in her cheeks, and her brown eyes were 
laughing, and I’ll do anything to see her again.” 


68 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


She’s the rage, that’s a fact,” assented Uncle 
Carroll. “ Well, Mrs. Atherton, why don’t you 
take the child for once; I would.” 

Carroll Atherton ! ” exclaimed his wife in 
dismay, ^^how could I ever look her father and 
mother in the face, and they’ve trusted her to 
us, while she went to school, to do the right 
thing by her. The idea of a sixteen-year-old 
girl, and a school-girl, going to a reception! ” 
The child won’t have a chance to get there 
any other way,” observed Mr. Atherton. One 
little social break won’t matter.” 

^^The worst place to make a social break is 
at Mrs. King’s,” said Mrs. Atherton. “No, Grace, 
you Gdjnnot go.” She set her lips tightly together. 
“Any other thing you might ask, I’d try to in¬ 
dulge you in; but I won’t make a faux pas at 
Mrs. Jasper King’s.” 

“I don’t want anything else,” cried Grace in 
a passion. Just then a young girl ran over the 
steps, and plunged without ceremony into the 
pretty breakfast-room. 

“Oh, joy — joy — joy!” she cried, beating her 
hands together, “ mamma’s going to take me to 
Mrs. King’s reception to-morrow afternoon.” 



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CAN SHE GO TO MRS. KING’S RECEPTION? 71 


Bella Drysdale ! shrieked Grace, deserting 
her chair to throw her arms around her friend. 

There, Uncle Carroll, now you see what Mrs. 
Drysdale’s going to do for Bella,” she flung over 
her shoulder, not deigning to notice her aunt. 
It’s too bad,” began Mr. Atherton, 
shall see that lovely Mrs. King again,” cried 
Bella in a rapture. Brother Tom’s going to 
get a look at Miss Phronsie; and we’ve got a 
cousin from Chicago, and he’s going for the ex¬ 
press purpose of seeing her. Oh ! everybody will 
be there, Grace. Mamma says you must go.” 

You’re older than Grace,” began Mrs. Ather¬ 
ton to gain a little time before the storm should 
begin again around her head. 

Only one month,” said Bella; what’s that ? ” 
Sixteen days ! ” cried Grace, “ only sixteen 
days ! Just think of that paltry atom of time to 
keep one away from that glorious reception. 
Uncle, wouldn’t you be ashamed to have every 
one know that Aunt Pay kept me away for just 
sixteen days ? I should positively die of mortifi¬ 
cation.” 

^^Well, you cannot go anyway,” suddenly and 
decidedly declared Mrs. Atherton. Mrs. Drysdale 


72 


PHKONSIE PEPPEE. 


or no Mrs. Drysdale, whom she followed when it 
suited her to do so, she was determined to keep 
to that decision. ^^It is of no use to argue and 
to tease — you caimo^ go.’^ 

Bella dragged Grace off to her room, and shut 
the door on their woes. 

I shall go ! I shall go! ” declared Grace in a 
white heat, raging up and down the room. 

“ Oh, mercy ! Mrs. King won’t have you, if 
you go on that way. She’s awfully nice and par¬ 
ticular. Stop it, Grace.” Bella shook her arm. 

“ I’m going — I’m going — I’m going, so there ! ” 
declared Grace determinedly. ‘‘ That’s settled. 
Now, how shall I do it ? Help me to think, 
Bella.” She stopped suddenly. 

What’s the use of thinking,” cried that young 
lady, throwing herself on the broad window-seat 
in among its cushions, and stretching restfully, 
as long as you can’t go ? ” 

^^As long as I can go, you mean,” corrected 
Grace, an ugly little gleam in her blue eyes. 

Well, you’re a regular Western fury,” declared 
Bella, regarding her. Gracious, I wouldn’t have 
taken you from the ^wild and woolly plains’ as 
your aunt has for a year ! ” 


CAN SHE GO TO MRS. KTNG’s RECEPTION? 73 


“Don’t speak to me of Aunt,” commanded 
Grace, frowning heavily. “ What has she done ? 
Kept me out of this, the thing I wanted most of 
all. And besides, the ^wild and woolly West’ — 
why, I haven’t been educated there, as you know. 
It’s New England, if any place, that’s to blame 
for me. Oh, oh, I’ve an idea ! ” 

Bella sat up straight, the transition was so 
great, to stare, as Grace ran softly to the door, 
opened it, and looked and listened; then locked 
it again, and tiptoed back. 

“ The very thing ! ” She seized Bella’s hands, 
and dragged her off the window-seat. “ I’m going 
to be your Western friend; you put that idea into 
my head —don’t you see ? dressed up. 0 Bella, 
you stupid, you owl, I’m going as your visitor; 
and I’ll hire my bonnet and gown, and change 
my hair, so Aunt won’t catch me. And — and 
— what joy!” 

When the luckless Bella, nearly danced out of 
breath, was released, she made a faint protest. 
But she was fairly talked off her feet again; and 
by that time the fun of the thing had entered in¬ 
to her soul and clutched her. So she said “ yes,” 
and began to plan as smartly as Grace herself. 


/ 


74 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


But mother never will take you in all this 
world,” she said, sobering down. 

^^Did you for an instant suppose I was going 
to let your mother know who I am ? ” cried 
Grace, bursting into a laugh. Oh, what a sweet 
owl you are, Bella Drysdale ! Of course I’m going 
to fool her too.” 

Well, she won’t let me take a stranger,” said 
Bella sharply, tired of being called an owl twice. 

I guess I’m as smart as you, Grace Tupper. I 
should know better than to get up such a silly 
plan.” 

I’m to be Miss Strange from Omaha, Ne¬ 
braska,” said Grace solemnly; a pupil of Miss 
Willoughby’s boarding- and day-school. All this 
is true — my name is Grace Strange Tupper. 
And because I don’t happen to board, instead 
of going to her day-school at Miss Willoughby’s, 
isn’t my fault. I would if I could. Now, Owlie, 
do you see ? ” 

“ If you call me an owl again I won’t do a 
single thing about it,” cried Bella stubbornly; 
‘^Ghat’s flat.” 

So she was a dear,” cried Grace, soothing her, 
and launching at the same time into an animated 


CAN SHE GO TO MRS. KING’S RECEPTION? 75 


discussion as to ways and means; wliicli milliner 
to hire the bonnet from, and which was the most 
becoming way to do up her hair, and how to 
darken her eyebrows, till Bella looked at her 
watch aghast. ^^And I’ve a horrible French 
letter to write for to-morrow, or Mademoiselle 
will kill me, and mamma won’t let me go to 
the reception.” 

Oh, misery ! Hurry, do; run every step of 
the way home,” begged Grace, nearly pushing her 
out of the room as she ran off. 

And the next afternoon Grace shut herself up 
again in her room; and while the French maid 
was evolving the usual fine creation out of her 
aunt for the reception, Grace was also doing 
wonders, — to steal softly down the stairs, and 
out and away to Bella’s. 

I thought I’d save you the trouble of calk 
ing for me,” she said, in a sweet little drawl 
as far unlike her usual tones as possible, as she 
entered the long Hrysdale drawing-room. Oh, 
beg pardon, I thought Bella was here! ” 

a Er — no; allow me to do the honors.” A 
tall young man with shoulders built for ball- 
team work, came slowly into the centre of the 


76 


PHKONSIE PEPPER. 


room. Bella will be down soon. Take a seat. 
Miss ’’ — 

Strange,” murmured Grace faintly, and won¬ 
dering if lier front frizzes had slipped, and if the 
pencilling under her eyes looked natural. “I—I 
— it isn’t any matter. I suppose I’m too early.” 

She sank into an easy-chair in the darkest 
shadow of the room, and covered her feet primly 
with her hired gown, regardless of the wasted 
elegance of her new little boots. These had been 
her one extravagance ; but now she was too far 
gone to care whether or no they were seen. 

Oh, Bella’s the same as she was ten years 
ago when I last visited here,” observed the young 
man, carelessly leaning his elbow on the mantel¬ 
piece, and staring at her. “She was always a 
tardy little thing, I remember; kept us waiting 
everlastingly when we were going outing.” 

So this was Bella’s cousin from Chicago. Well, 
he was perfectly horrid to talk that way of her 
dearest friend; and besides, what sharp black 
eyes he had, piercing through and through her. 
She put her hand up involuntarily to feel of her 
frizzes, shivered, and drew in her boots farther 
than ever under her chair. 


CAN SHE GO TO MRS. KING’S RECEPTION? 77 


“I don’t think it is very nice to speak so of 
your relatives when you are visiting them,” she 
observed to her own astonishment. Then she 
would have bitten out her tongue sooner than 
have spoken. 

Er — oh, beg pardon, did you speak ? ” ex¬ 
claimed the young man, starting out of a revery. 

Joy! he hadn’t heard her. ISTo — that is — 
it isn’t any matter,” said Grace hastily. I was 
going to say I think Bella is perfectly splendid. 
We all do at schooh” 

You attend Miss Willoughby’s boarding-school, 
I believe,” said the black-eyed young man, bend¬ 
ing on her a sharper gaze than ever. ^Mt’s a 
delightful school I’m told. Isn’t that a fact ? ” 
Grace was saved from replying by his next 
remark, which he presented without any pause 
to speak of. ‘‘ I’ve two cousins, Jenny and Eran- 
cina Day, there. I’m going over to call on them 
this evening after dinner.” 

Oh, horrors! Why hadn’t Bella told her of 
this before she had taken upon herself such a 
scrape ! Well, there was no help for it now; there 
was no other way, if she would see Mrs. King, 
and be part and parcel of Mrs. King’s great re- 


78 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


ception. She tried to recover herself enough t^ 
smile; but she felt, as she afterward told Bella^ 
as if her face wobbled all over. 

I’m glad to meet somebody who will give 
me a sort of a welcome there. Fact is, I don’t 
know my cousins by sight. Never saw but one of 
them, and she was a kid of three years old. Are 
they nice girls ? ” 

“ Perfectly splendid,” said Grace recklessly, glad 
to think she had made up a long, outstanding fight 
between Jenny and herself just the day before, 
and stifling the qualms of conscience when she 
reflected on Francina’s heavy dulness. ‘‘ Oh, I’m 
so glad they’re your cousins,” she said, smiling 
radiantly. 

The sharp-eyed young man showed two rows of 
even white teeth as he also smiled expansively. 

‘^Miss Willoughby is extremely gracious to al¬ 
low you to go to a swell reception,” he said 
slowly. ‘^If I’d supposed it would be of any 
use, I’d have begged my cousins off. I presume 
it’s too late for me to run around now and get 
them.” 

<‘0h, yes, yes,” cried Grace, starting forward, 
and beating one little boot in terror on the car- 


CAN SHE GO TO MRS. KING’S RECEPTION? 79 

pet. ^^Miss Willoughby doesn’t like short notice 
about anything; and — and — it’s an awful long 
way there — and—here conies Bella.” To her 
great relief in came that young lady, resplendent 
in a new blue hat quite perky, with a grown-up 
air that was matched by Bella’s manners as she 
drew on a white kid glove. 

Grace deserted her shady corner, and flew at 
her. 0 Bella, do hurry,” as she threw her 
arm around her; it’s dreadfully late; do be 
quick; we ought to go.” 

There’s oceans of time,” said Bella with a 
drawl, and smoothing out the little finger in a 
painstaking way. Mamma isn’t half ready yet 
— at least she hasn’t her bonnet on. Oh! do you 
know my cousin Charley Swan ? ” indicating with 
a nod the sharp-eyed young man. 

We’ve entertained each other for a good half 
hour or so,” observed Charley, not particular as 
to exact statements. Say, Bella, if Aunt Isa¬ 
bel isn’t ready, I believe I’ll run around to Miss 
Willoughby’s, and get her to let Jenny and Fran- 
cina off to go with us. Stupid in me not to 
think of it till I saw Miss Strange come in.” 

Er — ow I ” Grace gave a sharp nip to Bella’s 


80 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


plump arm. ‘‘ Stop him,” she whispered tragi¬ 
cally. Bella pulled out a hairpin from some mys¬ 
terious quarter under her hat, and set it in again, 
before she condescended to answer. ^‘No, you 
must not, Charley,” she said, pursing up her 
small mouth, and then falling to on her glove 
again. “ Button it, will you ? ” presenting it to 
him. You see, mamma will be very angry; for 
she’s just as likely to settle her bonnet right 
the first attempt. I’ve known her to. And al¬ 
though Tom’s no doubt wrestling in the agonies 
of tying his necktie, yet it’s just like him to hop 
down without the least warning before you could 
possibly get back. Then think of me! ” She 
spread her white gloves dramatically out, as if 
words were unequal to the occasion. 

Just then Tom whistled his way in. “ Whew, 
you ready in your togs, Charley! Well, it takes 
you Western fellows to be spry. Where’s the 
mother ? ” turning to Bella. 

“ Here’s Miss Strange, Tom,” said his sister, 
clutching Grace’s arm; ‘‘ haven’t you any man¬ 
ners ? Angela, this is my brother Tom.” 

Grace started at the word Angela, and forgot 
to bow, as Tom doubled up like a jack-knife and 


CAN SHE GO TO MRS. KING’s RECEPTION? 81 


made her his best obeisance. Then it was too 
late when she remembered; and she stood there 
blushing under the hired bonnet, till Charley re¬ 
marked in a way that did not help matters any, 

Oh, so I am an older acquaintance of Miss 
Strange than you, Tom.’’ 

How did you ever tell such an awful story as 
to say my name was Angela,” cried Grace in a 
whisper as they hurried off to the carriage, Mrs. 
Drysdale at last appearing. 

I didn’t say so ; stop pinching me ; I’m black 
and blue already,” retorted Bella. ^H’ve a right 
to call you what I’ve a mind to. And I’m going 
to call you Angela the rest of this blessed after¬ 
noon. So mind you act as if you’d heard the 
name before. If you don’t, I’ll tell everybody 
who you are.” 

This had the effect of throwing Grace into such 
a panic that she answered Mrs. Drysdale’s kind 
attempts at conversation with her at random, 
and the twenty miles to Badgertown were made 
in a whirl of emotions possessing her, till by tfue 
time the train paused at the little station, she had 
a confused notion of either telling her whole 
story and throwing herself on the mercy of the 


82 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


chaperone, or of picking up her long skirts, and 
fleeing over the country meadows toward home. 

Instead, she was saying, Thank you; yes, 
rd rather walk,’’ to Cousin Charley. Bella and 
Tom said the same thing. Mrs. Drysdale was 
helped into one of the carriages that always ran 
back and forth on Mrs. King’s reception days — a 
bevy of ladies and gentlemen filling the others; 
and off they all set, to meet in the dressing-rooms 
at ^‘The Oaks.” 


MRS. JASPER king’s RECEPTION. 


8a 


CHAPTER V. 

MRS. JASPER king’s RECEPTION. 

E’RE in an awful hole,” gasped Bella, 



pulling Grace off to the farthest corner 


of the dressing-room. Er — do get away from 
that maid; you don’t want her sharp eyes all 
over you. Ho, we don’t either of us want any 
help; ” over her shoulder at that functionary. 

How, Grace, er — Angela, you’ve gone and got 
me into this scrape, and I shall never hold up 
my head again in all this world.” 

Poor Grace’s head couldn’t droop any more 
than it did, as she mumbled miserably, I know 
it. Oh, dear me ! ” 

This was worse than all, and Bella took fresh 
alarm. For mercy’s sake, hold up your head 
and look big, as if you were somebody.” It was 
now her turn to pinch Grace. 

I can’t; because I’m not somebody,” sighed 
Grace. The frizzes even seemed to droop miser- 


84 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


ably on her brow; and she looked like a wilted 
flower, all her smart hired glory gone suddenly 
out of her. 

What a horrible scrape! ” cried Bella between 
her teeth. Oh, dear me, Grace, you must be¬ 
have ! Dear, dear ! ” as some ladies hovered near. 

I think your mother wants to go down now,’^ 
said one; ‘‘ she is trying to signal you. Intro¬ 
duce your young friend to me, will you ? ’’ 

Oh, I can't go down-stairs! ” cried Grace in 
a spasm of terror, and catching Bella’s arm in a 
way to make her faint, as that young lady looked 
over to the knot of ladies by the door, one of 
whom was waving her fan frantically. 

The lady who had requested the introduction, 
extending her hand in a winning way, Bella 
twitched away from the clutch, and said quickly, 
“ Miss Grace Strange — I mean Miss Angela Tup- 
per. Oh, dear me! I don’t feel very well, and' 
mamma wants me. Come on.” She fairly hauled 
Grace out through the ranks of elegant women, 
regardless of their dismay at her haste. See 
what you have done,” her black looks said when 
at last she permitted Grace a glimpse of her face. 

^^You young ladies must attend to my move- 



MRS. JASPER KING’S RECEPTION. 


85 


ments, and not expect me to signal you/’ said 
Mrs. Drysdale, her face only sweetly black, like 
a becoming thunder-cloud, as Miss Willoughby’s 
parlor boarder was one of the offenders. She 
could scold Bella easier at home. Just then a 
stout lady trying to get by, with a good deal of 
jet trimming about her person, sent out one of 
the octopus threads, and hooked Mrs. Drysdale in 
the most vulnerable point, — the choice old lace 
on her sleeves. 

^‘Excuse me,” panted the stout lady, pulling at 
the entanglement. There, break it, I’m sure I 
don’t care.” 

I’ll get it out,” cried Mrs. Drysdale in a 
terror, laying a quick hand on it. 

Step out of the doorway, please,” said some 
one. And the stout lady and Mrs. Drysdale 
edged off as one person, and everybody in the 
vicinity fell to helping; even Grace was brought 
out of her misery enough to take her turn. As 
she bent over her task, some one’s elbow gave 
her French bonnet a knock. Out fell a hair¬ 
pin from her frizzes, and she felt rather than 
saw the curious eyes of the lady next to her 
upon her hair. So she deserted the jet and 


86 


PHEONSIE PEPPER. 


lace, making Mrs. Drysdale say with some as 
perity, think you have not bettered it any, 
Miss Strange.’’ Then she looked up into the face 



Grace darted behind a tall fern, and hid her hot, distressed face. 


of her next neighbor. She was the lady who had 
asked Bella to introduce her. 

Grace fled out into the wide upper hall, fragrant 
with its wealth of blossoms, and darted behind a 





MRS. JASPER king’s RECEPTION. 


87 


tall fern, where she hid her hot, distressed face, 
and tried to stop the throbbing of her heart. 

Well, now get Miss Strange,” Mrs. Drysdale 
was saying as she emerged into the hall. ‘^It is 
the last time I shall ever allow you to ask a friend 
to go with you, Bella. Where in the world is 
she ? ” peering about. 

Bella flew back into the room. Grace, Grace,” 
she cried in a loud voice. 

‘‘Here I am,” said Grace miserably, and creep¬ 
ing out from behind the fern. “ I was so hot, and 
it’s cool out here,” feeling the necessity for words 
with the audience that now hung on the scene, 
and the throng of ladies coming and going to 
the dressing-room, and whose passage they were 
blocking up. 

Mrs. Drysdale did not vouchsafe a word, only 
gave her one look, stepped back, and called her 
daughter in a tone that scared Bella more than all 
the rest, and the three sailed down-stairs. That 
is, the lady sailed ; but Bella went with the tread of 
an angry young lion, while the parlor boarder at 
Miss Willoughby’s slipped after as best she could. 

The next thing she knew, she was being intro¬ 
duced to a radiant vision, and feeling the warm 


88 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


touch of a kind hand, and looking into clear brown 
eyes, and hearing Mrs. Jasper King say, I am 
very glad to see you. Miss Strange.’’ And then, 
despite the crowd pressing her, and that Bella was 
picking her by the sleeve, the kind hand retained 
her trembling one, “ I want to see more of you. 
Come up and speak to me later,” said Mrs. King, 
and she smiled; and that cut deepest of all. 

Grace broke away from her friends, and made 
a dive for oblivion. Anywhere — perhaps behind 
a sheltering palm, till the Drysdales were ready 
to go home ; she could watch and slip out then. 
Instead, however, of reaching such a haven, she 
ran against a tall young man in the hall, and not 
stopping to beg pardon, rushed on. 

Hello! ” exclaimed Mr. Charley Swan star¬ 
tled out of his politeness, and following her after 
the rebound, ‘^anything I can do for you. Miss 
Strange ? ” 

The sound of this name only added to Grace’s 
terror, and he had some difficulty in gaining her 
side. 

If you please, I’d advise you to stop. People 
don’t run about in this way, you know, at recep¬ 
tions ; knocking folks down, and all that. Now, 


MRS. JASPER king’s RECEPTION. 


89 


what’s the trouble ? ” He stood squarely in front 
of her, and between annihilating with his looks 
a curious youth who was taking this all in, and 
preserving a calm exterior for the rest of the 
throng surging through the hall, he still gave her 
a penetrating glance. 

Oh, I’m so wretched! ” gasped Grace, all cau¬ 
tion thrown to the winds, and clasping her hands. 

^^Hot altogether festive,” said Charley Swan, 
‘^that’s a fact. Well, now that orchestra’s going 
to play, thank Heaven for that. You just take 
my arm — Miss — Miss Strange, and we’ll get 
out of this mob.” 

He had to slip Grace’s hand himself within 
his arm. There it lay, and shook like a leaf. 
Charley piloted her into the large conservatory 
opening into the library, and somehow she found 
herself in a quiet corner with just room enough 
for another person on the rattan seat. 

^^Now, that’s what I call comfort,” he said, 
not looking at her, to give her time to recover 
herself. ^^Mrs. King is a perfect marvel in the 
flower line, and her music. Did you know that 
all these orchids are given her by Mr. King the 
father ? Gracious! don’t I wish some old gentle- 


90 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


man would take a fancy to me, and pet me with 
bank-notes and smother me in orchids. Look 
around a bit, Miss Strange.” 

I can’t,” said Grace in a low voice; I’ve 
no right to.” 

Hush! here comes a perfect old harpy for 
news, I know by her pinched-up nose, and the 
way she sets her loi^nette. Hold your tongue. 
Miss Strange, — beg your pardon, but it’s a des¬ 
perate case, — till she gets away. Yes, as I 
was saying, these orchids are surely the rarest 
specimens I’ve ever seen.” 

The ‘‘ old harpy” drew near, and levelled her 
glances behind her lorgnette at Grace. It was 
the lady who had asked Bella to introduce her 
young friend. 

Are you ill. Miss ” — she hesitated, and then 
laughed unpleasantly, Tupper — or — Strange ? ” 
she asked sweetly, and drawing near till she stood 
over the two. 

Charley Swan surveyed her coolly as Grace 
stammered out something. 

^‘Thanks,” he drawled. ‘^Miss Strange was 
faint; but as she is a great friend of our family 
and came with us, I believe I can take care of 


MRS. JASPER king’s RECEPTION. 91 


her. Anything I can do for you, Miss —” 
he hesitated, just as she had done, looking her 
squarely in the face; so that, without supplying 
the name, she murmured something about the 
beauty of the flowers, and moved off. 



“Are you ill, Miss Tupper — or — Strange?’’ and she laughed unpleasantly. 


Old reptile,’’ said Charley between his teeth. 
Oh, don’t! ” protested Grace, with a little 
shiver; she’s right. She sees I’m a humbug.” 

Mr. Swan did not seem to be at all surprised 
at this confession, but stood up suddenly. 

^^Look here,” he said; ^^you keep your seat. 
Don’t say a word; she won’t come back, and you 


92 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


don’t know any one else, I’ll be bound. Anyway, 
don’t talk. I’m going to get you an ice.” 

^‘Ho, no,” cried Grace, the color flooding her 
face; ^‘not a single thing; I won’t take it. I 
can’t. Why, I’ve come here all dressed up as 
one of Mrs. Willoughby’s parlor boarders. I’m 
only Grace Tupper — you don’t know. It would 
choke me.” 

It’s pretty bad. I’ll not deny,” said Charley, 
sitting down; but if everybody told how they 
got to receptions, you wouldn’t be alone in hum- 
buggery, I’ll venture to say.” 

But I’ve disobeyed my Au — Aunt Ath — Ath¬ 
erton,” said Grace, battling with her sobs, and 
twisting her fingers to keep from crying like 
a baby, and — I — hired this bonnet, and — 
and ” — 

“And you’ve spoiled yourself with those hor¬ 
rid eyebrows,” finished Charley; “and if I were 
you, I’d take off that monstrosity of a frizz, and 
put the thing in your pocket.” 

“ Oh, I can’t! ” gasped Grace, raising her blue 
eyes in terror to his face; “ why. Aunt will know 
me then.” 

“ Is she here ? ” demanded Charley with a 


MRS. JASPER king’s RECEPTION. 


93 


whistle. He couldn’t help it; this last was too 
much even for him. 

Yes — that is, she was coming. Oh, dear 
me! and I suppose I’ll be expelled from Miss 
Willoughby’s school, and I’ll go home, and it’ll 
kill father and mother and Jimmy and the baby. 
I never thought of that.” 

^^At least I believe we’ll save Jimmy and the 
baby,” said Charley in a tone of encouragement. 

And Mrs. King smi — smiled at me.” Grace 
broke down, and cried into her handkerchief, so 
that Charlie jumped up. See here,” he said 
abruptly, ^^I want to take you down to see some 
of the greenhouses; they’re wonders.” He made 
her get up, and take his arm again, while he hur¬ 
ried her off over the grounds. But they hadn’t 
gone far, when she saw a lady in advance walking 
with two gentlemen. 

There’s Aunt! ” she cried ; and before Charley 
could say anything, she broke away from him, 
and rushed down a side path. 

It was worse than useless to follow her, as 
the attention thus drawn to her would be dis¬ 
astrous. So Charley sauntered along, first get¬ 
ting a good view of “ Aunt ” in her lavender 


94 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


bonnet, so he would know her again, and then 
hastening to the mansion, if perchance he might 
befriend Grace once more. 

Charley Swan ! ” exclaimed Bella, running 
up, “where is — er — Angela Strange?’^ 

“Miss Tupper has just left me,’’ said Charley 
gravely, and pausing abruptly. 

- “ Miss Tupper ? Oh, my good gracious ! ” cried 
Bella with a little laugh, “ you mean Miss 
Strange.” 

“ She says her name is Tupper,” said Charley. 
“ I really suppose she ought to know.” 

“ Oh, dear, dear! then she has told you,” said 
Bella with a long sigh. “ Well, I’m glad. Such 
an afternoon as I’ve had ! ” 

“ See here, Bella,” said Charley. “ You get 
her ; she’s run down that path,” nodding in the 
direction of Grace’s flight; “and you and I will 
take her home. She took fright because she saw 
her aunt. Be lively now.” 

“ Dear, dear ! ” cried Bella in vexation and 
alarm. “Well, I’m sure, precious little comfort 
I’ve had at this reception ! ” 

“Hurry up, now. I’ll go in and make our 
excuses to Aunt Isabel.” 


MRS. JASPER king’s RECEPTION. 


95 


But when Bella reached a turn in the shrub¬ 
bery, she found a little heap on the ground, a 
group of people bending over it, conspicuous in 
the front being the lady who had asked her to 
introduce Grace, now using a lorgnette most vig¬ 
orously. 

What happened next, Bella never could tell. 
She only knew that the gardeners lifted Grace, 
and carried her into one of the back doors, giv¬ 
ing her up to the care of the housekeeper, whom 
they called Mrs. Higby, and that some of the 
ladies and gentlemen followed, proposing various 
remedies, the lady with the lorgnette pressing 
after most assiduously. 

She tripped on her gown and fell just as we 
were coming along,” said this lady sweetly. She 
seems somehow unused to a long gown. Let me 
bathe her face.” 

Here comes Miss Phronsie,” said Mrs. Higby. 
^^How that blessed dear has heard of the acci¬ 
dent. Make way for Miss Phronsie.” 

Phronsie came softly up in her beautiful white 
gown. She laid down her bunch of lilies-of-the- 
valley on the table, and bent over the young girl, 
laying a quiet hand on the cold one. ^^Poor 


96 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


thing/’ she said, and she dropped a kiss on the 
white cheek. 

To everybody’s surprise, two tears gushed out 
and rolled down the white face. Leave her to 
me,” said Phronsie gently. ^^Now, if everybody 
will please go out, Mrs. Higby and I will take 
care of her.” 

“ You would better let me stay ” the lorgnette 
lady had the temerity to say. 

‘‘We do not need you,” said Phronsie, coolly 
regarding her. “ Will you please go out with the 
others ? ” 

AVhen Charley Swan came stalking in by the 
back door, it was to see Miss Phronsie Pepper 
with her arms around Grace as they sat on the 
lounge in the housekeeper’s dining-room, and Bella 
Drysdale crouched on the floor, with her hands 
clasped in Phronsie’s lap. 


GRACE. 


97 


CHAPTEE VI. 

GRACE. 

TVON’T cry/’ Phronsie was saying; ^‘because 
if you do, I cannot help you.” 

She has told everything — just every single 
thing, Charley,” announced Bella, tragically turn¬ 
ing around to him. 

Charley Swan stood like a statue, with no eyes 
for any one but Phronsie. She turned a grave 
face on him. “ I’m afraid she’s badly hurt,” she 
said. “ I think you will have to get Dr. Phillips, 
Mrs. Higby.” 

‘‘ It’s only my foot,” said Grace with a little 
moan. 

^^Let me go for him,” begged Charley, coming 
out of his frozen state. 

“ One of the men’ll go,” said Mrs. Higby. 

La! don’t you stir a mite.” She went to the 
door, gave the message, and came back with a 
sigh of relief. ^^You poor child, you,” bending 


98 


PHEONSIE PEPPER. 


over Grace’s foot. You must have turned it 
clean over itself. There, there, the cold water’ll 
be the best we can do for it till the doctor gets 
here. My ! ” as her glance fell again on the 
dark circles under the blue eyes, and the elabo¬ 
rate frizzes; then she fell to coughing, and speed¬ 
ily betook herself to the farther end of the room. 

I’ll hold her,” she said presently, coming back. 

Miss Phronsie, you’re wanted every single min¬ 
ute in the best room. Let me sit there where 
you be.” 

Bella sprang to her feet, and blushed rose red. 
“1 forgot you’d left the reception. Oh, do ex¬ 
cuse me! And please. Miss Phronsie Pepper, 
don’t stay here any longer.” 

I shall stay,” said Phronsie, till I see that 
she is better.” 

Where’s Phronsie ? Mrs. Higby, do you know 
where Miss Phronsie is ? ” cried old Mr. King, 
putting his head in the doorway. Oh, my good 
gracious! ” as his eye caught the group. 

Grace hopped off the lounge, and hobbled along 
on one foot. Oh, sir ! it’s my fault,” she panted ; 
then she fell flat on the floor. 

When she came to herself, she was lying on a 


GRACE. 


99 


bed whose white hangings she could dimly see as 
she opened her eyes. Her foot felt heavy and 
queer. 

sure I cannot apologize enough to you, 
Mrs. King,’’ said a voice that she was quite fa¬ 
miliar with. This school-girl prank is quite 
unforgivable, I know, but I hope you won’t lay 
it up against me.” 

^^We ought not to talk here, Mrs. Atherton,” 
said Polly gently; then they went out into the 
other room. 

I don’t think Bella Drysdale is just the right 
companion for her,” said Mrs. Atherton. I have 
thought so for some time. Now I shall do my 
best to break up the intimacy.” 

^^Ugh—0 Aunt Pay!” shrieked Grace, trying 
to raise herself in bed. But she only succeeded 
in falling back heavily with a groan. 

Dear me, that girl has quite upset me,” cried 
Mrs. Atherton, trembling nervously. 

“ Do you stay out here, Mrs. Atherton,” said 
Polly brightly, with a gentle hand putting her 
on the sofa; then she went into the room where 
Grace lay, closed the door, and stepped softly up 
to the bed. 


100 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


^^ISTow, little girl,” she said, just as if Grace 
were six years old instead of sixteen, ^^you mu*st 
stop crying, and do not move. If you do, your 
foot may be injured for life.” 

* I can’t help crying,” said poor Grace, cover¬ 
ing her face with both hands. 

You can help doing anything that is wrong,” 
said Polly gently. Then she brought a brush 
and comb, unpinned the frizzes, and laid them 
on the white toilet-table, and began to brush 
the soft, straight, shining hair. 

It wasn’t Bella at all,” sobbed Grace. She 
didn’t want to do it, but I made her. Oh! I 
can’t give Bella up, Mrs. King.” 

‘‘You shall tell your Aunt all about it when 
you are better,” said Polly. “Now we must not 
talk about it. You are going to stay with me un¬ 
til your foot is well enough for you to be moved.” 

“ What, here in this house with you ? ” cried 
Grace, almost speechless with astonishment. 

“ Yes,” said Polly; “ you see, you’ve given 
your poor foot a terrible wrench, and Dr. Phillips 
isn’t willing that you should be moved just yet. 
And he can come and see you so much easier 
here, Grace.” 



‘*1 shall get my Mamsle,*’ cried a small, 


determined voice 




































































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GRACE. 


103 


0 Mrs. King! ” Grace rolled her head on the 
pillow to look at her, ^^you don’t know how 
wicked I’ve been. You can’t know, or you 
never’d keep me here in all this world. Why, 
I disobeyed my aunt to come here.” 

“ Yes, I do know,” said Polly gravely. I 
know it all. But I said we wouldn’t talk about 
it now.” Then Polly sat down on the edge of 
the bed in her beautiful reception-gown, and 
Grace felt too wicked to touch it with one finger, 
although she longed to; and Mrs. King held her 
hand, and told her stories about her own girl¬ 
hood, — how the Peppers lived in the little brown 
house just around the lane, where you will go 
when you are able to walk, dear; ” and how 
Joel was the pastor of a big church in New 
York, and where Ben and Davie were; and how 
the dear mother had gone abroad with Father 
Fisher because he was tired and needed rest, and 
Avanted to visit the hospitals again, and some 
foreign doctors; and then she told about Johnny, 
and the railroad accident that took his mother 
away to heaven, and how good Mrs. Fargo had 
adopted him for her very own boy, and they 
were there at Badgertown for the whole summer. 


104 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


And how Mr. Higby, in whose farmhouse the 
people were all carried who were hurt, had sold 
his farm, and was now their head gardener, and 
good Mrs. Higby was the housekeeper. 

^^Yes, I think she is quite good,” said Grace, 
snuggling up to the kind hand; she didn’t scold 
me a bit, but she looked so sorry for me, Mrs. 
King.” 

^‘And Johnny’s just the dearest dear,” said 
Polly, who always believed him but little short 
of a cherub; and then she told how he was thrown 
from the donkey just the week before, but it 
didn’t hurt him a bit, and” — 

^‘If you please, Mrs. King, the children are 
ready to go to bed,” said Katrina, putting her 
white cap in the door. 

And now I must go to my chicks,” said Polly, 
getting off the bed. Then she bent over, and 
set a kiss on the pale cheek. Don’t you worry 
about anything,” she said. shall ask my 

sister Phronsie to stay with you.” 

Mrs. King,” cried Grace, nervously clutching 
the brocade dress, ^Hhere is one thing, — if you 
could keep Aunt Fay from writing this to my 
mother. Oh, please do, dear Mrs. King!” 





GRACE. 


105 


She won’t do it,” said Mrs. King quietly; 

don’t be afraid, Grace.” 

Grace gave her one look, and relaxed her hold. 

‘‘ I shall get my Mainsie,” cried a small, deter¬ 
mined voice; and Elyot rushed in in his night¬ 
gown, followed by Barby in hers, hugging a 
dilapidated black doll. ^^Mamsie,” cried Barby, 
stumbling over to her arms. 

Don’t you go in there,” commanded King, 
coming last, in his nightgown. Sister Polly, I 
couldn’t help it, I came to keep them out.” 

^^Oh, dear me,” cried Katrina, who had gone 
back after delivering her message, now hurrying 
in. Children, how can you ! ” 

Bad, naughty Katty,” said Barby, shaking 
her curls at her, to keep me away from my 
mummy. Go ’way, Katty.” 

0 Barby! ” said Polly gently, and nestling 
her little girl up to her. 

Oh, what a cunning little thing ! ” cried Grace 
in a rapture. Oh, do let her stay, Mrs. King! ” 
as Polly made signs for Katrina to take her. 

“ What you in my bed for ? ” cried King stur¬ 
dily ; say, and who are you ? ” 

0 King! ” said Polly; why, that isn’t like 
my boy.” 


106 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Oh, have I taken his bed ? ” asked Grace 
in dismay, and making another effort to rise. 

“ He calls it his because once when he was 



Elyot perched at the foot, where he surveyed Grace at his leisure. 


sick he left the nursery and came in here to 
sleep,” said Polly. ^^ISTow come, children, say 
good-night to Miss Grace, and then we must fly 















GRACE. 


107 


to bed.’^ Elyot had one of her hands now; and 
he clambered up on the bed, where he perched on 
the foot, and surveyed Grace at his leisure. 

Is that her name because she says grace at 
the table ? he asked after a pause. 

^^No, dear, that was her baby name; isn’t it a 
pretty one ? ” 

Was she ever a baby ? ” asked Barby, look¬ 
ing with intense interest at Grace’s long figure 
under the bedclothes. 

Yes, indeed; she was once a little baby just 
like all you children.” 

0 mamma! not a little one,” said Elyot in¬ 
credulously. 

Not a wee, wee, teenty one,” said Barby, 
shaking her head, 

I guess she was as long as that,” said King, 
measuring off a piece on Grace’s frame, that he 
supposed a suitable length, ‘^just about as long 
as that.” 

^‘Take care, dear. You may touch her lame 
foot,” said Polly. 

And then the children, who had been in the 
little brown house when the accident occurred, 
clamored to know all about it. But Polly was 


108 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


firm; and telling them they should hear how it 
happened on the morrow, she held Barby down 
for a good-night kiss, a proceeding all the others 
imitated, till the three swarmed around Grace’s 
pillow. 

‘^Good-night,” said Barby, with a sleepy little 
hum; “do you say ‘Now-I-lay-me-down-to-seep ’ ” ? 

“No,” said Grace. How long ago it seemed 
since she had felt too old to repeat that prayer ! 

“ Mamsie, she doesn’t say ‘ Now-I-lay-me-down- 
to-seep,’ ’’said Barby, trying to open wide her 
eyes. 

“ Come, dears.” 

“ What do you say ? ” cried Elyot, pulling the 
bedspread, “ say ? ” 

“ Elyot! ” said his mother. He took one look 
at her face, and then scuttled off, picking up 
the nightgown to facilitate progress. 

So Polly went off, her baby on her arm. Barby, 
whose eyes drooped at every step, dropped the 
black doll out of her sleepy hand; Katrina picked 
it up, and helped the boys along. 

Just then Phronsie came in with a pleased 
expression on her face to see how cheery every¬ 
thing was. 


GRACE. 


109 


^^Your aunt has gone/’ she said; she is 

coming out to-morrow to see how you are.” 



So Polly went off, her baby on her arm. 


Grace achieved a sitting posture, impossible as 
it had seemed before. “ Oh, dear Mrs. King! ” 


110 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


she screamed, now I know she will write to 
mamma this evening.’^ 

Polly set P)arby in her little crib, then sped 
back. ^‘No, Grace,*’ she said, she won’t write; 
you can trust me, dear.” 

She always writes evenings when she’s any¬ 
thing on her mind,” said Grace; ‘‘ and she’d hurry 
about this.” But upon Mrs. King’s assuring her 
that she would take the care of this upon her¬ 
self, Grace cuddled down again, and let Phron- 
sie comfort her. 

And by and by, Avhile Polly’s messenger was 
speeding to the city with just such a letter as 
she knew how to write, addressed to Mrs. Car- 
roll Atherton, Mrs. Higby herself came up with 
Grace’s supper; and when she saw how cheery 
things were, and how everything was beginning 
to mend, she put her arms akimbo, and said, 
ISly land! but you’ll be as spry as a cricket in 
a week.” 

I brought you some flowers,” said Phronsie, 
laying down a little bunch where Grace’s Angers 
could reach them. 

Grace looked at them, but did not offer to 
touch them. 


GRACE. 


Ill 


What is it ? ” asked Phronsie. 

Might I just have one little sprig of those 
you held in your hand when you came after I 
was hurt, Miss Phronsie ? ’’ 

^WVhy, yes, you may. Mrs. Higby, will you 
get them ? You may have the whole bunch,’’ 
she said to Grace. 

^^Oh, only just one sprig, please,” said Grace 
eagerly. 

But the whole bunch of lilies-of-the-valley was 
brought; and Grace held them in her hands, and 
buried her face in them, and then she opened 
her mouth obediently, while Mrs. Higby, after 
tucking a napkin under her chin, fed her from 
a generous plate of milk-toast, and everything 
was getting quite jolly. 

She looks better already, don’t she. Miss 
Phronsie ! ” exclaimed Mrs. Higby in admiration 
of the effect of the treatment. “ My! but ain’t 
this nice milk-toast, though! I guess I know, for 
I made it myself. There, take this, poor dear.” 

^^I’m sorry to make you all so much trouble,” 
said Grace penitently, with her mouth half full. 

Don’t feed her too fast, please, Mrs. Higby,” 
said Phronsie, looking on with the deepest interest. 


112 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


My land ! she ought to eat to keep her strength 
up,’’ said Mrs Higby, plying the spoon industri¬ 
ously. Just so much milk-toast such as this is, 
and every hour you’ll see that leg of hers get¬ 
ting well like lightning.” 

V And then old Mr. King had to come and stand 
in the doorway, and say how glad he was that 
the foot was hurt no worse, for it had given him 
a dreadful fright to see her fear of his displeasure. 
And when Grace saw his handsome face light up 
with a smile for her, her last fear left her; and she 
gave a sigh of relief as he went off, obediently 
finished the toast, and settled back on her pillow. 

Land, how weak she must be to eat like that! 
she feels the need of victuals,” said Mrs. Higby. 

Kow I’ll run down and make you another slice,” 
nodding to Grace, you poor dear, you.” 

“Oh, don’t let her!” begged Grace in alarm. 
“ 0 Miss Phronsie ! I couldn’t eat another morsel. 

“ She doesn’t want any more, Mrs. Higby,” said 
Phronsie ; “ truly she doesn’t.” 

“ But just s’posin’ she should be weak and faint 
in the night,” said Mrs. Higby. “ I’d better 
make just one little thin slice, hadn’t I, Miss 
Phronsie,” standing irresolute in the doorway. 


GRACE. 


113 


No,” said Phronsie firmly. “ I don’t think 
you had, Mrs. Higby. There, I’m going to tuck 
her up now, and then I shall stay with her.” 

“ Will you. Miss Phronsie ? ” cried Grace in 
delight. 

Yes,” said Phronsie I shall stay just as long 
as you want me-to.” 


114 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


CHAPTEE VIL 

POLLY MAKES MATTERS RIGHT. 

T])OLLY/^ said Phronsie the next morning, I 
A do wish Mamsie was here.’’ 

It was the first time that Phronsie had said any¬ 
thing to show she wished the mother back; and 
Polly, who knew so well how all such utterance 
had been controlled, turned and stared at her. 

I do really wish that Mamsie was home 
again,” said Phronsie, this time with a sigh, 
shaking her head decidedly. 

‘^How you can, Phronsie,” broke in Polly im¬ 
pulsively, oh, I don’t see, when you know how 
Mamsie needed the change, and how she would 
never let Papa Doctor go alone ! 0 Phronsie ! ” 

But in spite of that, 0 Phronsie ! ” Phronsie 
still reiterated, Yes, I do wish she was here! ” 
And then she told the reason. 

<^Poor Grace,” she said, ‘‘is crying, and Mam- 
sie would know what to say to her.” 


POLLY MAKES MATTERS RIGHT. 115 


‘^Slie shouldn’t cry,” said Polly vexedly. ^^Dear 
me, I think it is the weakest thing after a person 
has done wrongly to cry over it.” 

^^Ah, but Grace was very wrong,” said Phron- 
sie sadly; ^^and she can’t help it, Polly, when it 
all comes over her again. Just think, she dis¬ 
obeyed her aunt.” 

“To disobey mother” had always been such 
a heinous crime in the “ Pepper children’s ” 
eyes, that Polly’s work dropped in her lap, and 
she sat as still as Phronsie for the space of 
a moment. Then she said brightly to cheer 
Phronsie, “ But it doesn’t help matters any to 
cry over it. Yet to be sure,” very suddenly, “ I 
cried dreadfully when I’d been cross and hateful 
to Mrs. Chatterton. To be sure, so I did.” 

Suddenly Polly laid down her work, and went 
swiftly out of the room. She positively ran into 
the pretty bed-chamber where, under the white 
hangings, Grace was sobbing her young heart out. 

“ Dear child,” said Polly, kneeling down by 
the bed, and laying a steady and gentle hand on 
the shaking figure, “ I know just how you feel; 
for I cried once, just as miserably as you are cry¬ 
ing, because I had been wicked.” 


116 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


You wicked! ” cried Grace, backing up so sud¬ 
denly that Polly was nearly upset, “ O Mrs. King, 
that could never be ! 

Ah, Grace, but it was; and it was much worse 



"Dear child," said Polly, "I know just how you feel." 


for me to be wicked, for I had had Mamsie all my 
life, — and you don’t know what our Mamsie was, 
— while you have been away from your mother, 
you said, ever since you were six years old.” 





POLLY MAKES MATTERS RIGHT. 117 


^^Yes/’ said Grace. It was some relief that she 
did not have to tell that boarding-school life as 
she had found it in New England schools was 
ever so many degrees better than those years could 
have been under the nominal care of a mother 
given up to her own pursuits. 

^^And I was rude and hateful to a poor sick 
old woman/’ said Polly suddenly, laying her soft, 
warm hand on Grace’s shaking ones; and I said 
awfully cruel things to her, Grace; oh, you can’t 
think how it makes me feel now to remember 
them! ” 

A tear or two crept out of Polly’s eyes as she 
said this, and dropped on the counterpane. 

(< Why, you’re crying yourself, Mrs. King! ” ex¬ 
claimed Grace, lifting her red, swollen eyelids in 
astonishment. 

I know it,” said Polly, smiling brightly, and 
dashing off the tears with a quick hand. You 
can’t think how it makes me feel, Grace, after 
all these years, to remember what I said to old 
Mrs. Chatterton.” 

She must have been horrid to you to have made 
you say those things,” said Grace stoutly. I just 
hate her, to make you feel badly even now.” 


118 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


It was a new thing to comfort any one else 
and she pulled away one of her hands from 
Polly^s clasp, and laid it on Mrs. King’s shoulder, 
forgetting her own misery while she did so. 

She didn’t make me,” corrected Polly, never 
mind what she said to me. Mamsie always used 
to say no one but ourselves could make us do 
and say things. Ko, Grace; it was because I 
lost my temper. Oh, I was so frightfully angry, 
I remember ! And then I went up-stairs as hard 
as I could run, wishing every step that I could 
only get back the words I had uttered; and I 
hid in the trunk-room, and got down on the floor, 
and cried and cried — oh, how I cried! And 
then, when I finally came out and went down¬ 
stairs, everybody was hurrying about, troubled 
and anxious, because Mrs. Chatterton was ill; 
and then I thought that I had killed her.” 

Oh, dear me ! ” said Grace. 

‘‘ And after that,” went on Polly, I can’t tell 
you how I felt. But I didn’t cry any more. I 
just tried to do something for the poor woman. 
And after the longest time. Grandpapa told me 
Mrs. Chatterton had received bad news, — her 
favorite nephew had been drowned at sea.” 


POLLY MAKES MATTERS RIGHT. 119 


^‘I’m glad of that/’ said Grace. mean, I’m 
glad that you knew it wasn’t anything you had 
said that made her sick. Well, do please go on, 
Mrs. King.” 

This all happened — the telegram coming, I 
mean — while I was up in the trunk-room,” said 
Poll}^; so of course I did not hear the news, 
though everybody thought I had. But I felt, 
oh, so dreadfully, that I had made her unhappy 
just before that awful blow came. And I shall 
always remember it.” 

Please don’t feel badly, dear Mrs. King,” 
begged Grace softly, turning comforter. Oh ! I 
wish you wouldn’t,” gently patting Polly’s shoul¬ 
der. 

But I did not cry any more,” said Polly. 

I remember I used to squeeze the tears back, 
when they seemed determined to come, as I 
thought about it; for Mamsie had told us it was 
very wicked to cry over anything we had done, 
because it distressed every one about us.” 

Did she ? ” asked Grace with great interest, 
as a wholly new idea struck her. Why, I 
thought one’s eyes were one’s own, and one could 
do as she pleased with ’em.” 


120 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Ah, but you see, no one of us can do as shv 
pleases, Grace,’’ said Polly, shaking her head. 

That you will find out more and more, the 
older you grow. And besides, Mamsie said it 
was a great sign of weakness to give yourself 
up to fits of crying after you had done wrongly. 
I remember what she used to tell us : ‘To set 
about righting the wrong was better than a 
million tears.’ ” 

“Mrs. King,” exclaimed Grace suddenly, let¬ 
ting her hand fall idle on the bedspread, to peer 
into Polly’s face, “ I think your mother must 
have been just the nicest” — mother, she was 
going to say, but pulled herself up in time — 
“ person in all this world.” 

“ Oh^ y ou can’t guess what she was — what 
she is,” cried Polly warmly, “till you see our 
Mamsie.” 

“And I won’t cry another single bit,” declared 
Grace, setting her lips tightly together; and doub¬ 
ling up her handkerchief into a little wad, she 
threw it to the foot of the bed, as a thing for 
which there could be no further use. 

“ That’s right, dear,” said Polly, setting a kiss on 
the flushed cheek; “ because, you see, it troubles 


POLLY MAKES MATTERS RIGHT. 121 


Phronsie dreadfully. She’s made almost sick by 
it, Grace. You can’t think”— and Polly’s face 
drooped. 

Oh, dear, dear! ” wailed Grace remorsefully, 
and wriggling about in distress; ^^what have I 
done ? Oh ! please, dear Mrs. King, do tell her 
Pve stopped crying, and that I never will cry 
again in all this world. Please hurry, and tell 
her so this very minute.” 

So I will,” promised Polly cheerily, and going 
out. ^^And I will ask her to come in and see 
for herself how good you are.” She gave her a 
bright smile that seemed to hop right down into 
the sorry heart, telling her there was still some 
comfort left for her. 

When Polly next looked in, about an hour after, 
Grace was propped up against the pillows, her 
fingers busy with one of the sails for the boys’ 
boats, Phronsie sitting by her side, stitching away 
on the counterpart. A little table was drawn up 
to the side of the bed, with the work materials 
on it; and Phronsie had just been telling some¬ 
thing gleeful, for Grace broke into a merry little 
laugh. 

Now, this looks something like,” said Polly 


122 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


approvingly in the doorway. She had her walk¬ 
ing things on. Grace, dear,’^ she said, coming 
in and standing at the foot of the bed, ^‘1 am 
going to town this morning; and I thought I 
would go around and see your aunt, Mrs. Ather¬ 
ton, — I wrote her so last night, — and report how 
well you are getting on. It will save her the 
trouble of coming out. And now, do you wish me 
to do anything for you ? ” 

She sent a keen glance out of her clear brown 
eyes full into the troubled face. 

Grace threw down her work. Mrs. King,’^ 
she cried, while the hot blood went all over her 
face, “1 told Miss Phronsie I’d like to write to 
Miss Willoughby, and tell her all about it.” 

^^You cannot write,” said Polly, while a gleam 
of pleasure came into her face, ^Gintil Dr. Phil¬ 
lips has been here and said you can. But I will 
go to Miss Willoughby, and tell her everything 
you say.” 

^WVill you, Mrs. King?” cried Grace. But 
oh, won’t it trouble you too much ? ” 

^^No,” said Polly, ^Gt will not trouble me too 
much, child.” 

^‘Mrs. King,” said Grace, brokenly, and clasp- 


POLLY MAKES MATTERS RIGHT. 123 


ing lier hands, you please ask Miss Wil¬ 

loughby to forgive me for the disgrace I’ve brought 
on her school; and please tell her I didn’t think 
of that when I began. I thought it was only 
myself I had to consider. And please tell her 
I mean to study and do everything I can to 
please her after this. But perhaps she won’t let 
me ever come back to her day-school;” and Grace’s 
face became suddenly overcast, as if she were go¬ 
ing to cry; but she bit her lips, and held her 
hands tightly together instead. Then I suppose 
I must bear it.” 

I’ll tell her every word,” said Polly. Any¬ 
thing else, dear ? ” 

If you could see Mrs. Drysdale, and tell her 
how sorry I am, perhaps some time, in several 
years, she’ll forgive me for disgracing her so. 
Oh, and do tell dear Bella that she mustn’t mind 
if Aunt Pay should happen to say anything cross 
to her, because everybody knows now that Bella 
didn’t want to take me here, but I made her.” 

Anything else ? ” asked Polly, after a pause. 
•^^How about the hired bonnet and dress at the 
milliner’s ? ” 

Oh, dear, dear! ” cried Grace, with a rush of 


124 


PHEONSIE PEPPER. 


dismay at tlie throng of bad results of her wrong¬ 
doing ; yon can’t do all these things, Mrs. King! 
Oh, dear me ! what shall I do ? ” 

Grace,” said Polly warningly. 

Grace looked up and struggled with her tears, 
but she could not say anything for a minute. 
Then she broke out, She said it would be five 
dollars for the two; and my pocket-book is at 
home. There’s plenty in it,” she added hastily, 
in confusion, ^‘for papa had just sent me on my 
allowance; but I can’t get at it.” 

I shall go in and pay Madame Le Farge,” 
said Polly quietly, ^^and then you can pay me 
afterward, Grace. And Mrs. Higby is to pack up 
the dress and bonnet, and send them in by ex¬ 
press. And Mrs. Atherton is to send your trunk 
out to-day. Then, dear, you will be quite comfort¬ 
able as to clothes. Good-by; ” and Polly came 
around to the side of the bed, and leaned over the 
back of the little table, and kissed her. 

Grace, regardless of the fine walking-dress with 
its dainty bonnet and lace boa, threw both arms 
around Polly’s neck, and hugged her close. ; 

Take care,” warned Phronsie. 

Never mind,” said Polly, taking a rosy face 


POLLY MAKES MATTERS RIGHT. 125 


from the embrace; no harm is done. That is 
just the way we all used to fly at Mamsie. All 
right, Gracie; going off with a smile. 

And now I’ve gone and done the wrong thing 
again,” mourned Grace in confusion, huddling 
down into the bed, and not looking at the dis¬ 
carded sail. “ Oh, dear me ! I wish I could think 
in time.” 

King wants his boat-sails this afternoon, 
Grace,” said Phronsie gently, ^^and I promised 
them.” 

So Grace picked up the boat-sail, with its needle 
sticking in it just as she had thrown it aside, and 
Phronsie gathered up the narrative of some funny 
mishaps they had in a little German town when 
they were all last abroad, and presently they were 
both as merry again as before; and only the Dres¬ 
den clock on the white mantel interrupted them. 

Without a bit of warning, the door that Polly 
had left ajar was pushed wide open, and a tall 
figure appeared just about to stalk in. ^^Oh, beg 
your pardon! ” he exclaimed, beating a retreat. 

0 Joel! ” cried Phronsie, jumping out of her 
chair to run across the room and into the tall 
figure’s arms, when did you come ? ” 


126 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


^^Just got here/’ said Joel; ‘^walked from the 
station; didn’t run across anybody but Patsy on 
the grounds. Anybody sick ? and who’s that ? ” 
nodding into the room, as they had now edged 
off into the hall. 

‘^That’s a friend,” said Phronsie, ^^who only 
came yesterday, and she fell and hurt her foot. 
0 Joe, it is so good to see you! ” 

“ Yes, it is good to be here,” cried Joel, feasting 
his eyes on her. ^^Well, where’s Polly?” 

Gone to town,” said Phronsie; “ and she said 
we were not to wait luncheon for her.” 

That’s too bad,” said Joel, ^^for I must be off 
this afternoon; ” and he pulled out his watch. 
^^And now I’ll tell you, Phronsie, what I’ve come 
for. I want you and Grandpapa to go back with 
me for a few weeks. I can’t tell you why now, 
only that I want you both. I’m dead tired of 
being alone. Now, do persuade him to come, 
Phronsie.” Joel took her hand and held it close, 
his other arm being around her. 

0 Joel! ” cried Phronsie in great dismay, I 
can’t go just now. Could you wait a few days, 
perhaps a week; could you, Joey dear ? ” 

A sound very much like a groan came from the 


POLLY MAKES MATTERS RIGHT. 127 


room behind them. Phronsie tore herself away 
from Joel, stepped back, and shnt the door. ‘^Oh, 
how could I be so careless! ’’ she said remorse¬ 
fully. Now she’s heard every word we said, 
poor thing.” 



128 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


CHAPTEE VIII. 


ALEXIA COLLECTS THE NEWS. 

OEL ran off for a little visit to Griandma Bas- 



coni, at which time he unloaded himself of 


various packages, to find places for them on her 
cupboard shelves alongside the cracked sugar-bowl 
that had been supposed to contain Mirandy’s 
wedding cake receet.’’ Then he shut up his 
disappointment to himself as best he might, and 
took the last train for New York alone. 

^^It can’t be helped, Joe,” old Mr. King had 
said; Phronsie has her hands full with that girl. 
So you must wait for us.” 

Bother that girl!” Joel looked. Then he 
thought better of it. All right; come when you 
can,” he had replied, as his brow cleared. On the 
way to the station he ran across Alexia, who had 
just arrived, as usual in a terrible hurry tb see 
Polly. 

‘^Goodness me, Joel, you here !” she exclaimed 


ALEXIA COLLECTS THE NEWS. 


129 


with no show of ceremony. « Don’t I wish I had 
a parish, and could run about the country as you 
do ; and here I am tied to a husband and a baby.” 

^^Poor husband and baby!” said Joel with a 
grin, who liked Alexia immensely, but always 
kept her on short commons of flattery. 

The most dreadful thing, Joel, you can ima¬ 
gine,” gasped Alexia. Oh, dear me I I’ve hur¬ 
ried so — to tell Polly — there’s a girl who wormed 
herself into her reception, and ” — 

“ Whose reception — the girl’s, or Polly’s ? ” 
asked Joel. 

You know — Polly’s of course. Sho pretended 
to be” — 

Who — Polly, or the girl ? ” 

Joe Pepper, if you don’t stop and listen. I’ll 
never, never speak to you again! ” cried Alexia in 
a pet. 

That would be terrible,” said Joel with a 
laugh. Good-by, Alexia,” putting out his hand, 
I shall lose my train if I stay to get to the end 
of that recital.” 

Joe, Joe ! ” cried Alexia, running after him. 
But he strode off, calling back, I’ll trust Polly.” 
And his train approaching the depot. Alexia, be- 


130 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


moaning her fate in not getting out to Badgertown 
earlier, skipped off to The Oaks ” in no very 
pleasant frame of mind. 

“ Where’s Polly ? ” she cried to Phronsie in the 
conservatory as she ran through the library. 

Polly’s gone to town,” said Phronsie, cutting 
off some blossoms to add to the bunch in her 
hand. 

To town ! Oh, dear me ! ” screamed Alexia. 
“ And Pve only just come out! What did she 
want to go to town to-day for, Phronsie ? ” 

She had to go. Alexia,” said Phronsie, pausing 
as she saw Alexia was really distressed ; ‘‘ what is 
the matter ? ” 

Oh ! then I must tell you,” said Alexia. Oh, 
my ! I’m so hot, as if I’d run every speck of 
the way.” 

I’ll get you a fan,” said Phronsie, coming into 
the library. There are some. Alexia, on the 
table.” 

Whew ! ” Alexia possessed herself of one, 
and fanned vigorously, so that she set all the 
feathers on her much-betrimmed hat into a violent 
flutter. Oh! it’s all over town, Phronsie,” she 
said. 



“Polly *s gone to town,” said Phronsie, 
to add to the bundle in 


cutting off some blossoms 
her hand. 


























ALEXIA COLLECTS THE NEWS. 133 


What is all over town ? asked Phronsie 
quietly. 

^‘Ohj about that dreadful Strange, or Tupper 
girl — how she wormed herself in here at Polly^s 
reception. I heard of it this afternoon, and I 
just stopped to run home and tell Baby I was 
coming out here to let Polly know. Oh, dear 
me! 

Pm sorry for Grace,’^ breathed Phronsie pity¬ 
ingly. Oh! I hope she won’t know anything 
about it.” 

“ Sorry for Grace,” repeated Alexia, throwing 
down the fan, well, I should say ! I believe it 
was all a plan between Mrs. Atherton and that 
Mrs. Drysdale, to get her here.” 

Oh, no. Alexia! it wasn’t,” said Phronsie de¬ 
cidedly, shaking her head; because Grace has 
told us all about it. It was nobody’s fault but 
her own.” 

Well, I can’t abide that Mrs. Drysdale,” de¬ 
clared Alexia, who had reasons of her own for not 
being in love with that lady; and. as for Mrs. 
Atherton, why, she’s well enough, I suppose, 
only a trifle weak in the upper story. Well, and 
oh, dear me! Miss Fitzwilliam said ” — 


134 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Miss Fitzwilliam tell you/’ asked Pliron- 
sie quietly, ‘‘ tlie story of Grace’s coming here ? ” 

Yes,” said Alexia; she told us all. And she 
said she saw through her disguise, and that it was 
Mrs. Atherton’s niece.” 

Who are all ?” asked Phronsie. 

‘^Why, all of us in the Campbell’s drawing¬ 
room, child. What makes you question a body 
up so close. It doesn’t make any difference, does 
it, where or how I heard it, if everybody’s talking 
of it ? ” 

Everybody isn’t a few people in Mrs. Camp¬ 
bell’s drawing-room. Alexia,” said Phronsie ; yet 
she sighed, and the bunch of flowers in her hand 
trembled a little. 

This made Alexia more vexed than ever. Well, 
there was Captain Sledges ; he’s home on a fur¬ 
lough, you know; and, oh! the Eomeynes from 
New York, and two or three others, besides some 
of our Berton set,” said Alexia. Oh ! there was 
quite a nice little lot, Phronsie, to hear the news. 
And I just tore out, I was so vexed, and only 
stopped to tell Baby, and ” — 

Phronsie turned her brown eyes full on Al¬ 
exia. I hope you stood up for poor Grace. 





ALEXIA COLLECTS THE NEWS. 


135 


She’s only sixteen, and she didn’t stop to think, 
she says.” 

I stand up for her — how could I ? ” cried 
Alexia. “ I never saw the girl. Oh, dear me ! now 
you’re going to take her part, and comfort and 
pet her. It’s just like you, Phronsie; I wouldn’t 
go near that Atherton house, nor even send a 
word to her.” 

It isn’t necessary,” said Phronsie, in the quiet¬ 
est of tones; for Grace hasn’t been home, and 
she’s going to stay here, I hope, a good while.” 

She’s in this house ? ” screamed Alexia, tum¬ 
bling off the sofa to gain her feet, “ oh, my good 
gracious me, Phronsie Pepper ! ” 

Yes,” said Phronsie ; she’s in this house. 
Alexia. She fell yesterday, and hurt her foot 
very badly ; and Dr. Phillips said this morning 
when he saw it, that she ought not to be moved 
for a week or two. And Polly’s had her clothes 
sent out, and I hope she’s going to stay a good 
while; for I like her. Alexia, very much indeed.” 

It was a long speech for Phronsie to make; and 
she sat quite still after it was over, and looked 
at Mrs. Dodge. 

Oh, dear me! and now you’ll give up all your 


136 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


time to taking care of her, and coddling her up. 
How do you know but what she will go and do 
something just as bad when she gets well again ? ’’ 
cried Alexia. 

“ Ah, but I know she won’t. Alexia,” said 
Phronsie, shaking her head decidedly. She’s 
awfully sorry and ashamed, and she’s been made 
almost sick by it.” 

‘‘ So she ought to be,” cried Alexia wrathfully. 
‘‘Now I know what Polly’s doing in town to-day, 
running about in the heat — she’s fixing up the 
trouble this girl made.” 

“Alexia,” said Phronsie in a tone indicative of 
the deepest distress, and leaning forward to whis¬ 
per the words, “ I almost know that Grace’s 
mother never told her about what was right and 
wrong — I really believe she didn’t.” 

“Well, supposing she didn’t; are you going to 
take other people’s children, and bring them up ? ” 
exclaimed Alexia. “ Phronsie Pepper, I should 
think you’d enough on your hands with that 
Orphan Home down at Bedford, without any more 
young ones to look after ! ” 

“ And Grace has been away at boarding-school 
ever since she was six years old,” mourned Phron- 


ALEXIA COLLECTS THE NEWS. 137 


sie, without paying the slightest heed to Alexia; 
‘^dear, dear,, just think of it, Alexia.’^ 

“Well, I suppose I might as well talk to the 
wjjid,’’ exclaimed Alexia, “ as to try to reason you 
and Polly against such a Quixotic scheme. Dear, 
dear, I can’t do anything with either of you.” 

“No,” said Phronsie, “you can’t. Alexia. And 
now I want you to come up and see Grace — how 
nice she is. And you must tell her something 
lively to amuse her. Do, dear Alexia.” 

She got off from the sofa, and put her arm 
around the tall, slim figure. 

“ Ugh ! — no, I can’t.” Alexia edged off. “ It’s 
bad enough for you to pet and coddle her; I’m 
going home.” 

“ Come, Alexia,” said Phronsie, holding out her 
hand; and Mrs. Dodge, grumbling all the way, 
went up the stairs after her. 

“And just to think,” she said, when they 
reached the top, — “ wait a minute, Phronsie, — 
how it’s all over town about her getting in here 
so; and you’re giving up your time, and Polly’s 
too, to take care of her, I ” — 

“ Hush! ” warned Phronsie, picking Alexia’s 
sleeve, and pointing to the door of the little room. 


138 


PHBONSIE PEPPER. 


^^Ugh ! — oh, goodness me ! I thought she was 
in the west wing,” gasped Alexia,, in a stage 
whisper. ^AVell, I don’t believe she heard any¬ 
thing.” 

‘‘ Please remember Alexia, to tell her amusing 
things, for Grace has been so sad,” said Phronsie, 
softly drawing Alexia into the room. There was 
no one in the little white bed. 

Out in the dressing-room they found her, crying 
bitterly, and trying to pull her clothes out of her 
trunk. I’m going home,” she exclaimed passion¬ 
ately between her sobs. 

0 Grace ! ” cried Phronsie, hurrying forward to 
lay a restraining hand upon her. 

Oh, me — oh, my ! ” exclaimed Alexia, backing 
up for support against the door. 

“Please call Mrs. Higby, Alexia,” said Phron¬ 
sie. And Alexia, glad to do something, fled with 
long steps, and presently brought Mrs. Higby, 
who, without any more ado, just picked up Grace, 
with a “Poor lamb, there, there, don’t cry!” and 
deposited her on the little white bed again, where 
she shook with the passionate declarations that 
she was going home, and no one should stop her. 
Mrs. Higby examined critically the bandaged 
> 


ALEXIA COLLECTS THE NEWS. 139 


foot. Lucky if she hain’t hurt it,” and she drew 
a long breath, I don’t b’lieve she did, Miss 
Phronsie.” 

^‘No, I didn’t,” sobbed Grace; ‘^1 hopped on 
the other foot. Oh, dear, dear ! ” 

^‘Please go out,” begged Phronsie. When the 
door was closed she put her hand on the hot 
brow. Grace,” she said, I am disappointed 
in you.” 

I heard what she said,” cried Grace in a 
gust, and throwing both arms suddenly around 
Phronsie. Miss Pepper, just get me to 

Aunt’s — do! I’ll make her let me go home. 
And I never’ll trouble any one any more.” 

You can’t be moved yet,” said Phronsie; 
^^and it remains with you to say whether or no 
you will be a good girl, Grace, and be a comfort 
to us.” Grace could take but one look at her 
face, it was such a disapproving one, and she 
disappeared as far as she could beneath the bed- 
clol^es. heard what she said,” she reiterated 
faintly. 

^^Ah, Grace,” said Phronsie sadly, ^^when we 
have done wrongly, we must just make up our 
minds to bear what people say.” 


140 


PHKONSIE PEPPER. 


Alexia knocked timidly at the door. Come 
in/’ called Phronsie. 

“ I’m awfully sorry you heard what I said/’ 
she mumbled, going up to the foot of the bed, 
everybody don’t know it — only a few people, I 
guess. And anyway, I suppose Polly, Mrs. King, 
will fix it up, and I’m real sorry for you, and 
I’ll help you — oh, dear me ! ” 

Phronsie looked at her gratefully. Alexia, 
will you tell her about your baby,” she asked 
suddenly. 

Oh, that blessed child! ” began Alexia in de¬ 
light ; “ yes, indeed, that is, if you’ll take your 
head out of those bedclothes. I never could talk 
to any one unless I could see at least their nose. 
Well, now, that’s something like. You know, 
Miss — Miss ” — 

^^My name is Grace Tupper,” said Grace, who 
had pulled up a very red face to lay it against 
the pillow. 

Oh, yes; well, you must know. Miss Tupper,” 
ran on Alexia, ‘Ghat I really have the best baby 
in the w^hole world. He’s a perfect beauty to 
begin with, and he’s ever so many teeth, and he 
talks, and what do you suppose he was doing 



ALEXIA COLLECTS THE NEWS. 


141 


when I got home ? — I only ran out to pay a few 
visits, you know.’’ 

don’t know,” said Grace faintly, as Alexia 
waited for her to speak. 

‘‘Why, he was trying to brush his own hair,” 
said Mrs. Dodge. “Now, that blessed child must 
have known his hair didn’t look good. Bonny, 
that’s his nurse, lets him muss it up dreadfully, 
and so the poor dear was just doing it for 
himself.” 

“I suppose she gave him the brush to play 
with,” said Grace, interested at once. 

“ Never mind how he got it,” cried Alexia, 
“he was brushing his hair. Now, I call that very 
smart indeed; I’m almost afraid to think what 
he will become. Miss Tupper, when he grows up. 
There isn’t anything that’ll be quite the thing 
for him.” 

“ I suppose he can be President of the United 
States,” said Grace. 

“ Oh, dear me, no! ” cried Alexia hastily. “ There 
have been twenty-four of them already. I want 
my boy to be something new, and ahead of other 
people. And just think, it won’t be but a little 
while before he’ll be in college, and then he’ll 


142 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


be through, and then I’m sure he’ll want to be 
something quite unusual; I’m sure he will.’^ 

What’s his name ? ” asked Grace, wishing she 
could see this wonderful baby. 

Algernon Ehys Dodge,” said Alexia; ^Gsn’t 
it just a beautiful name ? I wanted to call him 
after his father, ^ Pickering; ’ but I knew it would 
be ‘ Pick ’ all the time to distinguish him, so I 
gave it up. Well, you’ll see him often, because 
we’re going to move out to Badgertown next 
week.” 

‘‘ Are you ? ” cried Grace, how nice ! ” 

‘^Yes,” said Alexia, pleased at the effect of 
her efforts to entertain, “ we are; into the dear¬ 
est little yellow cottage, with barberry-bushes in 
front. I’ve named it, ^ The Pumpkin ’ and ” — 

0 Alexia! you are only in fun now,” said 
Phronsie with a little laugh. 

Indeed, and I’m not,” said Alexia; I’m hav¬ 
ing my cards engraved so. Why shouldn’t 
have that name, when it’s just the color of a 
pumpkin, and not much bigger ? and lots and 
lots of places have the most ridiculous names, 
and no rhyme nor reason for them either. You 
must come and visit me at ^The Pumpkin,’ Miss 


ALEXIA COLLECTS THE NEWS. 


143 


Tupper, when we get in nicely. Then you’ll see 
for yourself, if you ever knew such a baby as 
that blessed child of mine. Oh, here’s Polly ! ” 

Polly came in swiftly. She had a little white 
look around her mouth, as if she were very tired, 
but she smiled brightly. It’s all right,” she 
said to Grace. ‘‘ Oh, how nice and cheery you 
are here ! Alexia,” and she beamed on her, 
“ you’re as good as gold, to come out and be a 
comfort.” 

^^Ugh!” exclaimed Alexia, “don’t praise me, 
Polly.” 

“ Go and take your things off, do, Polly,” begged 
Phronsie. 

Alexia sprang after Polly as she went out. 

“ Oh! I’ve been a horrid mean thing, Polly,” 
she cried, when safe in Polly’s room, “and I 
messed things up generally. But I’ll help you 
now, and she’s a dear, that Grace Tupper is, and 
you must go for that dreadful Fitzwilliam to¬ 
morrow; ” and then she told Polly the story of 
her afternoon. 


144 


PHKONSIE PEPPER. 


CHAPTER IX. 

PHRONSIE SETTLES THE MATTER. 

B ut Polly didn’t take Miss Eitzwilliam in 
charge; for Phronsie came to early break¬ 
fast the next morning with her little brown bon¬ 
net on, that, with the walking-snit, meant a day 
in town. I am going to Berton,” she said, 
‘^with Jasper.” 

The small red breakfast-room at The Oaks ” 
was always cosey for the early meal that Jasper 
took every morning before he grasped the little 
publishing bag ” and hurried off for his train. 
Polly sat behind the coffee-urn, pouring a cup for 
him. 

Why, Phronsie ! ” she exclaimed in surprise ; 
then she asked, “ does Grandpapa know ? ” 
^^Yes,” said Phronsie; ‘‘1 told him last night. 
I was going to tell you, Polly, but you were busy 
in the den with Jasper.” 

Then I’ll pour you a cup of coffee,” said Polly. 





PHRONSIE SETTLES THE MATTER. 145 


said Phronsie; Pll have just a glass 
of milkj the same as every day, Polly.” 

O Phronsie ! ” remonstrated Polly, take the 
coffee, do, dear ; it will be a hard day in town.” 

But Phronsie shook her head. Polly,” she 
said, as she got into her chair, and the butler 
had gone out and closed the door, as he always 
did that Polly and Jasper might talk through 
the meal, I am going to town to see Miss Fitz- 
william.” 

‘‘ Phronsie ! ” exclaimed Polly in great dismay, 
letting fall her spoon; Jasper set down his cup 
to look at Phronsie. 

^‘Yes, I am,” said Phronsie, beginning to drink 
her milk. Then she took a piece of toast and 
buttered it. 

If you are going to town, Phronsie,” began 
Polly quickly, ^^do have a hot chop, dear.” 

No,” said Phronsie; I do not want it, Polly. 
I am going to take an orange in my bag. Please, 
Polly, let me tell you about it.” 

Polly looked over at Jasper in despair. His 
eyes said, Don’t worry, dear. Perhaps she 
won’t do it.” 

You see,” said Phronsie deliberately, Miss 


146 


PHEONSIE PEPPEE. 


Fitzwilliam must not be left to spread the story 
about Grace. And she won’t want to when I 
tell her all about it. She’ll feel sorry that she 
told in the first place.” 

‘‘You don’t know Miss Fitzwilliam, Phronsie, 
if you say so,” burst out Polly. “ She’s the 
veriest gossip there is in all Berton — or the 
universe either. It won’t do a bit of good for 
you to go to see her. She can’t change, child; 
she’s too old.” 

“Ah, but she must,” said Phronsie, shaking 
her head; “ and if nobody tells her how wrong 
it is to set people against Grace — why, she 
will go on doing so all the time.” 

“Phronsie,” said Polly desperately, and lean¬ 
ing past the coffee-urn, “ I can’t bear to have 
you put yourself in that old gossip’s house. Oh, 
dear me! why is it that nobody puts her down ? 
Everybody hates her; and then they listen to 
her stories just the same.” 

“ That’s just it,” said Jasper, pushing back 
his chair; “they listen to'her stories, Polly, as 
you say. They’re as bad as she is, every whit.” 

“ But I can’t see them all, I’m afraid,” said 
Phronsie, setting down her empty glass. “Miss 


PHRONSIE SETTLES THE MATTER. 147 


Pitzwilliam started it, so I ought to talk with 
her.’^ 

^^Phronsie, does Grandpapa know you’re going 
to see Miss Fitzwilliam ? ” asked Polly, seeing 
here a ray of hope that the visit to town would 
be given up. 

“ Oh, yes! did you i^iink I would go to see 
her without telling Grandpapa, Polly ? ” asked 
Phronsie with a grieved look in her brown eyes. 

“No, dear,” said Polly hastily. 

Then she got out of her chair, and ran around 
to drop a kiss on Phronsie’s yellow hair; but 
Phronsie moving just then, the kiss fell on the 
little bunch of brown flowers on the top of her 
bonnet. “ Dear me ! ” said Polly with a laugh, 
“well, I’m sure I’m willing to kiss your bonnet, 
Phronsie, as it isn’t all decked up with birds’ 
wings. I knew, of course, you’d tell Grandpapa 
everything, Phronsie.” 

“ Oh, I couldn’t wear a bird’s wings on my 
bonnet; you know I couldn’t, Polly ! ” exclaimed 
Phronsie in horror. 

“No more could I,” declared Polly. “I should 
feel as if I’d murdered the sweetest thing on 
earth, to perk a bird up on my bonnet. Oh, dear 


148 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


me!’’ aghast at the thought. ^‘Jasper, what 
shall we do,” as Phronsie got up and went over 
to the sideboard to get an orange for her bag, 
“ to keep Phronsie from going to town ? ” 

I don’t believe we better try any more, Polly,” 
said Jasper, going over to take his wife’s hand. 

I really believe it’s bast to let Phronsie alone, 
for she thinks that she ought to go.” 

But that old thing ! ” began Polly impul¬ 
sively, ^‘and our Phronsie.” 

^‘It won’t hurt Phronsie,” said Jasper wisely, 
putting his arm around Polly’s waist, to look 
into her eyes. ^^No, Polly, I don’t believe we 
ought to say any more. Come, Phronsie, are 
you ready ? ” 

Yes, I am,” said Phronsie, patting her little 
bag; all ready, Jasper. Polly, I’ll get your 
red wool; you said you didn’t have time yester¬ 
day.” 

Oh, you dear ! ” cried' Polly? comforted by 
Jasper’s words. But don’t tire yourself, Phron¬ 
sie; it’s no matter; I can wait.” 

If anybody is going to town with me, she 
must hurry up; that’s all I say,” called Jasper, 
giving Polly a kiss and, running off. 






PHRONSIE SETTLES THE MATTER. 149 


Polly ached to say, Don’t go to Miss Fitz- 
william’s,” as Phronsie set a kiss on her cheek; 
but remembering Jasper’s words, she smothered 
the longing with a sigh. ^‘Well, good-by, child,” 
as Phronsie ran down the path to the dog-cart 
that was to carry them to the train. 

When Phronsie left Jasper as he turned off into 
the business section, and she waited for the elec¬ 
tric car bound for the old residential part of the 
town, he gave her a bright smile. Success to 
you, Phronsie dear ! What train are you coming 
out on ? ” 

“1 don’t know,” said Phronsie; don’t wait 
for me. I wish you wouldn’t, Jasper.” 

‘^All right. It shall be as you wish, Phronsie. 
Good-by, dear.” He flashed her another smile, 
and was off, to plunge into the work of the day. 

“ I do think Jasper is the dearest brother that 
ever lived,” said Phronsie to herself as she hur¬ 
ried on her car. A little old woman, whose back 
was bent, and the ends of whose white hair had 
escaped from her rusty black bonnet, stood in 
her way, clutching one of the leather straps that 
hung from the bar that ran across the top of 
the car. 


150 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Move up in front/’ shouted the conductor, 
giving a push to the little old woman’s back; 
^nhis lady can’t get in.” 



Phronsie led the little old white-haired woman to the vacated seat. 


Never mind,” said Phronsie; “ I can stand 
here just as well.” 

Move up, I say,” repeated the conductor, with 
another shove. 























PHRONSIE SETTLES THE MATTER. 151 


Thereupon three or four collegians, bound for 
the university a few miles off, precipitated them¬ 
selves out of their seats, the fortunate one who 
was first, hustling against the little old woman 
in black. Will you take my seat ? ” taking off 
his cap to Phronsie. 

Thank you,’’ said Phronsie gravely. Then 
she touched the bent shoulder gently, and took 
hold of the pinched hand clinging to the strap; 
the other one she could now see was filled with 
bundles. ^^Here is a seat for you;” and before 
any one could say anything, she had led the 
little old white-haired woman to the vacated 
seat, arranged her bundles more comfortably in 
in her lap, and gone down to the end of the car 
again. 

The collegians’ faces got dreadfully red. No 
one of them dared to try it again, for an old 
gentleman who had seen it all had gotten out 
of his seat, and with a courtly bow was proffer¬ 
ing it to her. 

Thank you,” Phronsie was saying, refusing it, 
with a smile. I really do not mind standing.” 
And the three collegians melted out suddenly to 
the front platform, and away the car flew, and 


152 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Phronsie was soon at the corner down which 
she was to turn to the three story brick house 
that had the honor to be owned by Miss Honora 
Fitzwilliam. 

She was in, the trim maid said; and Phronsie 
gave a sigh of relief, as she stumbled on down 
the darkened hall, to find a seat in the still more 
darkened drawing-room, whose door the maid 
opened deferentially. 

“What name?’’ she asked in the same man¬ 
ner. 

Phronsie took out a card from her plain brown 
leather case. The maid departed, bearing this evi¬ 
dence that Miss Sophronia Pepper, The Oaks, Bad- 
gertown, was awaiting Miss Fitzwilliam’s pleasure. 

It was fully half an hour before that lady 
made her appearance, with everything as fresh 
as possible about her, her side-curls beautifully 
gotten up. Even the lorgnette was ready. 

“ Oh! I am so glad to see you, my dear Miss 
Pepper,” she began effusively, extending both 
hands, “ Phronsie, I may call you, may I not ? ” 
Phronsie did not answer, only to say, “ Good¬ 
morning ; ” so Miss Fitzwilliam exclaimed hastily, 
“That stupid Eliza! this room is as black as 


PHRONSIE SETTLES THE MATTER. 153 


midnight.” She stepped to the other side of the 
apartment, and gave a nervous twitch to the bell. 

Let some light into this room,” as the maid 
came in; how careless of you not to open the 
shutters by this time.” 

r> 

Eliza opened her mouth to say something, but 
evidently was too frightened to carry out her in¬ 
tention, and throwing the shutters wide, hurried 
out of the room as if glad to get away. 

The morning sunlight flooded the long draw¬ 
ing-room, whose faded coverings looked tired out; 
several thin places very near to becoming holes 
could plainly be seen on the furniture, while 
even the mantel ornaments looked depressed. 

Miss Fitzwilliam sprang to her feet, and ener¬ 
getically thrust the shutters half way to. ^^That 
stupid Eliza! ” she ejaculated again. ‘‘ I hope, 
Miss Pepper, that you are not troubled as I am 
with servants. They are really the plague of my 
life, although I change every fortnight or so.” 
Then she came back and sat down on the faded 
red sofa by Phronsie’s side. What a most beau¬ 
tiful reception your sister’s was, to be sure! ” she 
cried rapturously. always make it a point to 
exert myself to go to Badgertown whenever shQ 


154 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


gives one. And I’m so sorry for you, that you 
were all so animyed Tuesday by that ” — 

Miss Fitzwilliam,” said Phronsie, breaking in 
to the stream of talk. I have come to see you 
about that very thing.” Then she looked steadily 
into the little steel-gray eyes before her. 

^^And have you, my dear?” cried Miss Fitz¬ 
william delightedly. I suppose you want my ad¬ 
vice what to do.” She tried to lay her pinched and 
restless fingers on the quiet gloved ones in Phron- 
sie’s lap, to show her sympathy; but the young 
girl not stirring. Miss Fitzwilliam pulled hers 
back, and went on rapidly, As it was such an 
outrageous thing, I would ” — 

Miss Fitzwilliam,” Phronsie did not pause 
now, but went swiftly on to the end, not remov¬ 
ing her gaze from the other’s face, Pve come to 
see you about this matter, because I know that 
after you’ve heard all about it, you’ll be sorry for 
the young girl who did such a wrong thing. Just 
think, she’s ooly sixteen, and she hasn’t been with 
her mother only vacations when she was home 
from school, since she was six years old. And as 
soon as she did it, and got there to the reception, 
she’d have undone it all if she could, — oh, a thou- 


PHKONSIE SETTLES THE MATTER. 155 


sand times! And she made Bella Drysdale take 
her. Mrs. Drysdale didn’t know anything about 
it, but thought she was a parlor-boarder at Miss 
Willoughby’s; and Mrs. Atherton didn’t know 
either. Grace has told it all to us, and that she 
alone was to blame. It was the first time that 
she has ever done such a thing, and she didn’t 
stop to think before she did it. And now she 
can’t forgive herself; she must always be sorry 
to the end of her life: so all of us must help her 
to bear it.” 

Miss Phronsie Pepper ! ” screamed Miss Fitz- 
william, throwing away her self-control as Phron¬ 
sie paused, you don’t mean to say that you think 
people should take up this Tupper girl; why, I’ve 
told everybody I could about it! I went around 
yesterday, and I’m going again this afternoon.” 
Her thin face glowed, and her pinched-up nose 
was set high in the air with positive delight. 

I know you did tell them yesterday,” said 
Phronsie quietly; “ but I think you’ll be sorry for 
that when you come to think it over.” 

Sorry ? Indeed, no! ” sniffed Miss Fitzwilliam. 

I shall get as many as I can to know it before 
nightfall. It’s my duty. Sorry, indeed ! ” 


156 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Phronsie surveyed her gravely. You will 
be very sorry, I think, Miss Fitzwilliain,’^ she 
said again quietly; it will spoil that young 
girl’s whole life, to repeat that story.” 

And you’ll be very glad,” cried Miss Fitzwil- 
liam shrilly, that I did take the pains to tell it, 
and to warn people against such a little impostor. 
How do you know that she won’t repeat this ex¬ 
periment again at your house ? ” 

She will not, because ” — 

And that stuff about hurting her foot was half 
of it made up,” said Miss Fitzwilliam; ‘‘ that’s the 
reason I wanted to stay and help you. I found 
her out long before.” She gave a little triumphant 
cackle; ^^and I wanted to see her foot, if that 
wasn’t all a pretence, so ” — 

Oh, no, it wasn’t! ” said Phronsie, who couldn’t 
help interrupting ; because she ” — 

But you wouldn’t let me stay. However, I 
have started the story about her, I am glad to 
say; I suppose she went home soon after, didn’t 
she ? ” she asked quickly, greedy for the last 
bit of news. 

^^No,” said Phronsie; ^‘she did not.” 

That shows what kind of a girl she is! ” 


PHRONSTE SETTLES THE MATTER. 157 


exclaimed Miss Fitzwilliam with venom, after 
worming herself in there, to hang on until you 
had to send her home.’’ 

^^Miss Fitzwilliam,” said Phronsie so decidedly 
that Miss Fitzwilliam pulled herself up at the 
beginning of another harangue, don’t you under¬ 
stand— can’t you understand, that Grace Tupper 
is not that kind of a girl at all ? She began 
this as a childish freak; she is most dreadfully 
sorry for it, and she would give everything — 
yes, the whole world,” said Phronsie, clasping 
her hands while her face drooped sorrowfully, 
^Gf she hadn’t done it.” 

Pshaw! ” exclaimed Miss Fitzwilliam in dis¬ 
dain. Then she put back her head on her spare 
shoulders, and laughed loud and long. Any¬ 
way, Miss Pepper, I shall do ai I think best 
about it. And I do think best” to tell this story 
wherever I have a good opportunity.” She set 
her thin lips together unpleasantly. 

<^In that case,” said Phronsie, rising, ^*1 will 
trouble you no further. And will you be so 
very good. Miss Fitzwilliam, as to discontinue 
calling at ‘ The Oaks ’ ? Grace Tupper is our 
guest, our dea?' guest; and my sister, Mrs. King, 


158 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


and I hope that she will stay there a long time, 
for we are both already very fond of her. I 
will bid you good-morning.’’ 

It was impossible for Miss Fitzwilliam to get 
her breath to speak. Twice she essayed it, but 
no words came; and vexed that she had made 
such a terrible blunder, and with her own hand 
cut off visiting relatmns with Mrs. Jasper King 
and her sister, Miss Pepper, she made another 
effort, this time even managing a ghastly smile. 

Of course if you are going to take her up, 
why I will let the matter drop,” she gasped. 
But Miss Pepper did not appear to notice, nor to 
observe the outstretched hand, but went swiftly 
out. On the old-fashioned table in the hall was 
the morning paper, still unread. Wild with cha¬ 
grin, Miss Fitzwilliam seized it to divert her mind, 
as the door closed after Phronsie; and whirling 
the sheet to the social news, read: Miss Grace 
Strange Tupper, nieqe of Mrs. Carroll Atherton, 
is the guest of Mrs. Jasper King at ‘The Oaks’ 
Badgertown.” 

When Phronsie completed her round of calls, 
beginning with Mrs. Coyle Campbell, everybody 
knew that it was to be the fashion to take up 


PHRONSIE SETTLES THE MATTER. 159 


Grace Tapper. And each one vied with the 
others, to be ahead in the matter of sympathy 
and help. 

Then Phronsie hurried down town to buy 
Polly’s red worsted. 


160 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


CHAPTER X, 


SUCCESS FOR POLLY. 



HE grand extra concert, the best of the year, 


X given by the Symphony Orchestra, with 
Mrs. Jasper King as pianist, was over, and only a 
delightful memory. Every member of the orches¬ 
tra declared no such performer on the piano had 
it ever been their good fortune to accompany, 
and musical critics went a little wild in their 
efforts to find adequate expressions to describe her 
treatment of the theme she had chosen. 

It was a great society event; all the fashion¬ 
able world of Berton being in evidence, with good 
sprinklings from New York and other towns to 
overcrowd the house. But Polly, although her 
heart responded, most especially for Jasper’s sake, 
to these tokens of cordial interest and admiration, 
felt her whole soul drawn to the old friends who, 
here and there, were in conspicuous seats among 
the audience. They were all there, as far as was 


SUCCESS FOR POLLY. 


161 


possible. Miss Salisbury, who had left her school 
and the duties that never before allowed her to 
wander, recklessly dropped all this time into the 
sub-principaPs hands, and went off to hear her 
dear old pupil, Polly Pepper. 

Cathie Harrison, living in the South with her 
grandmother, made that old lady pick up her 
belongings, and take a two weeks^ jaunt, that in¬ 
cluded Berton on its return. Amy Longhead in 
Hew York, under the care of her aunt, Mrs. Mont¬ 
gomery, of course was there; the two happening 
to take the same train on with the Rev. Joel 
Pepper, who had collected his friend Robert Bing- 
ley for that very purpose. 

The Cabots and Van Meters, besides Ben Pepper, 
who represented that house now, the Alstynes, 
Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Dyce, and a score or more 
of other old friends, all turned up at the last 
minute, and electrified Polly with swift glances of 
recognition across the crowded hall, that cheered 
her on over the difficult passages better than any 
applause could possibly have done. Charlotte 
Chatterton seemed to be the only one left out. 
She was in Europe, turning out something won¬ 
derful, if accounts were true, with her voice — 


162 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


unlocked by Phronsie’s golden key/’ Charlotte 
always said, in telling how Phronsie’s generous 
gift of a portion of old Lady Chatterton’s money 
had made it possible for her to cultivate her one 
talent. Charlotte’s love for Phronsie was so pas¬ 
sionate it seemed to outrun her love for music, 
making it a dreary exile for her to stay and study 
abroad. Only the hope of seeing Dr. Fisher and 
Mother Fisher kept her from running off with a 
homesick heart to the dear old friends. 

Mr. and Mrs. Mason Whitney of course were 
there, and Van, mightily proud of being in his 
father’s business, and engaged to one of the 
sweetest girls born and brought up in his set, 
‘‘the little blue-and-white creature,” whom Joel 
so desperately entertained at the Welcome-Home- 
party years ago. Van had regularly offered him¬ 
self to Phronsie at any and every opportunity 
that had presented itself in the past three years, 
to be as regularly but more gently refused. And 
now he had wisely concluded to pass that pleas¬ 
ing attention down to Dick, or rather Dick had 
taken it upon himself, with small care whether 
or no Mr. Van passed it along. And Van had 
looked around for the best way to settle in life, to 


SUCCESS FOR POLLY. 


163 


get ready for that partnership with his father 
which he fondly hoped was just ahead of him; 
so he proposed and was accepted promptly by 
Gladys Ray, who had, it seems, been waiting for 
him all the time; and everybody was delighted; 
and Van was so important with it all, his mother 
having brought along little Miss Ray in the party, 
that Percy, a newly fledged lawyer with his shin¬ 
gle just out, who was in the party also, found it 
hard to bear with equanimity his unimportance, 
and the trouble of his monocle, just assumed. 

Dick brought along a whole lot of his jolly 
brother collegians, among them the three who 
figured in Phronsie’s car episode, and who trusted 
not to be recognized ; but Dick, not knowing 
anything of it, hauled along this identical trio, 
after the concert, and presented them, Mr. Pox, 
Mr. Beresford, and Mr. Sargent,” when they im¬ 
mediately had the appearance of desiring to melt 
away again. 

Dick was here, there, and everywhere on this 
occasion, bubbling over with jubilation. Was he 
not to go into the house of Marlowe & King the 
very day after graduation — yes, sir ! ” to begin 
his dream of being a publisher. 


164 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


But the best of all, in Polly’s eyes, was the 
presence of Jasper’s and her dear friend David 
Marlowe, who sat in one of the front rows. Mr. 
Marlowe never took his eyes from Polly; but 
sat quietly through it all, when it became impos¬ 
sible for the other friends to control their intense 
interest. But how his keen gray eyes glistened! 
And when it was all over, he put his good right 
hand on Jasper’s, My boy!” said he in that 
strong, clear voice of his; and Jasper knew all 
his friend’s heart better than if many words had 
been uttered. 

The only disappointment in certain quarters 
was that Polly had issued her command that no 
flowers should be given, thus throwing Dick, as 
well as some other friends, into incipient rebellion. 

No, indeed,” said Polly, who dearly loved to 
be elegant in just the right way, when some ink¬ 
ling of Dick’s extravagant plans had come to 
her, not so much as a solitary sprig — now 
remember, Dicky,” one glance of her brown eyes, 
and Dicky and everybody else knew that offence 
in this respect meant a terrible thing. 

But afterward, when they got Polly away from 
the mob,” as the collegians called it, of those 


SUCCESS FOR POLLY. 


165 


swarming up to congratulate, then Jasper took 
matters into his own hands, and disclosed the 
surprise he had planned for Polly; and with Mr. 
Marlowe’s aid, he piloted all the old friends, and 
a goodly number of new ones, to the special cars 
waiting for them, and away they all went for 
dinner, and to top off the evening at ‘‘ The Oaks.” 

Phronsie had sent a very special invit^on to 
Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Atherton, to Mrs. Drys- 
dale and to Bella, and also to “ Cousin Charley 
Swan; ” so they all came. And Miss Willougby 
was there, and she found an old schoolfellow in 
Miss Salisbury before the evening was half out; 
and everything went merrily as possible in every 
section of the big company. 

And Alexia, whose little Pumpkin ” was burst¬ 
ing with guests, up for the occasion, — she having 
stipulated that Cathie Harrison and Cathie Har¬ 
rison’s grandmother should be part of her especial 
share, — was there in full force, helping, with 
Mrs. Fargo and Pickering, to receive and do the 
honors, having ^Hold the baby all about it before,” 
and consigned him to Bonny’s tender mercies. 

And when the dinner had proceeded to the 
toasts, Jasper looked across the table into his 


166 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


wife’s eyes, “ Yes, Polly,” he said to her question¬ 
ing look, I cabled Mamsie the very minute you 
finished playing.” 

Indeed he did! ” cried Mr. Marlowe, smiling 
into her rosy face. 

“ 0 Jasper, how lovely of you! ” cried Polly 
with dewy eyes. And is that what you signalled 
the usher for ? ” 

^^Yes, dear,” he said, smiling at her; had 
it all written before. You didn’t think I could 
leave the dear Mamsie a minute longer than was 
necessary without the news ? ” 

No, Jasper,” she said ; but oh, how lovely 
in you to do it! ” 

Phronsie, opposite Grandpapa, who was stately 
and resplendent at the head of one of the other 
tables, looked over happily, 0 Jasper! ” she ex¬ 
claimed, clasping her hands, does Mamsie really 
know it now ? ” 

‘^Yes, Phronsie,” said Jasper, beaming at her; 

she really does.” 

Phronsie sat quite still, her hands remaining 
clasped. It was as if the dear Mamsie’s face was 
really there before her, with the light and cheer 
that always made everything bright; and a tender 


SUCCESS FOR POLLY. 


167 


look came into Phronsie’s eyes and around the 
curves of her mouth. And then her face drooped; 
and the dreadful longing that she had had every 
minute since Mother Fisher had sailed, just to see 
her again, settled down upon her. “ Mamsie! ’’ 
she breathed slowly, but in a way to make every¬ 
body turn and look at her. 

Just then the heavy brass knocker on the front 
door clanged sharply. One of the maids brought 
in a yellow envelope, which she handed to Jas¬ 
per. He tore it open quickly. 0 Polly! ’’ and 
across the table it sped to her. “ Give it to 
Phronsie; let her read it first, dear. IPs from 
Mamsie! 

When they all came out of the babel of con¬ 
fused delight, Phronsie still sitting with clasped 
hands but radiant face, Jasper stood up and 
read: — 

“ To my dear Polly, I send my proud and loving word. 
I knew she would do it. And give my love to Phronsie. 

Mamsie.” 

We’ll drink her health,” cried Jasper. Sim¬ 
mons, pass the loving-cup.” 

So the butler took down the massive silver 


168 


PHEONSIE PEPPER. 


loving-cup, that had been for generation after gen¬ 
eration in the King family, from the oaken side¬ 
board, and filled it with pure cold water to the 
brim, The only thing worthy of it,’’ said Polly ; 
and all the company stood up, and Jasper lifted 



The loving cup was filled with pure cold water to the brim, "The only 
thing worthy of it," said Polly. 

it high, with ‘^Our Mamsie, now as always our 
guide, our comfort, and our delight; we pledge 
ourselves anew to her in loyal love.” And then 
the cup went around silently to every one. 

And Ben proposed Father Fisher, and every- 



SUCCESS FOR POLLY. 


169 


body drank his health and happiness ; and then 
Polly turned a happy face over toward old Mr. 
King. Our dear Grandpapa was everything,’ 
she said; I don’t know what we should ever 
have done without him.” 

And around went the loving-cup again. And 
this neat little speech so touched the old gentle¬ 
man that he got out of his chair, and responded 
right gallantly to his daughter, and to the rest 
of the Five Little Peppers.” And Jasper’s 
eyes shone with proud delight, and everybody 
applauded to the echo. And then Davie, the new 
instructor in literature at a Western university, 
and already booked in the minds of all present 
for the professor’s chair, was called out for a 
speech; and a right good one it was too, the 
Eev. Joel pounding vigorously his approval above 
all the others on the festal board. 

And Hamilton Dyce tried his hand at talking 
a bit, and brought down the house with many 
funny reminiscences; and Mr. Marlowe said, as 
he always did, exactly the right word in the 
right place; and Joel was called for loudly, but 
he had slipped away just then, so several of 
the pthers talked; and then Jasper brought down 


170 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


his improvised gavel, the handle of Grandpapa’s 
cane, Speeches declared over! We will now 
adjourn to the little brown house; ” and Polly 
led off proudly with Grandpapa, as was quite 
right, Phronsie and Mr. Marlowe following, the 
rest of the company falling in as they chose, 
with Jasper at the rear corralling all the strag¬ 
glers into line. 

Let’s march all around it, father dear,” whis¬ 
pered Polly, gleefully as a child. So they led 
off in the moonlight the long procession around 
and around the little brown house, till some one 
proposed unwinding and going the other way. 
But they didn’t do it, but just broke ranks, and 
rushed unceremoniously into the old kitchen. 

And there were Polly’s two hundred candles 
she longed for in the old days, all alight most 
merrily, which explained the Bev. Joel’s absence 
from the last part of the speech-making; and 
after that there was no more quiet. The old 
kitchen resounded to the babel of happy voices, 
until at last everybody drew up in a circle of 
chairs, getting the Peppers in the centre, whom 
they besieged for stories of those old times. 

I’m a Pepper ! ” cried Jasper, scrambling 


SUCCESS FOE POLLY. 


171 


into the charmed circle. I was in those happy 
days.’^ 

“Yes, Jappy belongs to us,’’ said Phronsie. 

“Jap always felt so smart,” declared Van en¬ 
viously, “because he knew the Peppers first.” 
Percy looked as if he wanted to say as much, 
but concluded to keep still, and only readjusted 
his m'onocle to his satisfaction. 

“We shouldn’t any of us have had or done any¬ 
thing if it hadn’t been for Jappy; hey, old fel¬ 
low,” declared Ben, clapping him on the shoulder. 

“ And dear Grandpapa,” cried Phronsie, with 
a world of affection in her eyes, looking over at 
him. 

“Well, Phronsie did it with her gingerbread 
boy,” said Jasper quickly. “It was Phronsie, 
after all, who brought us all together.” 

And then everybody clamored for the story of 
the gingerbread boy again; so off they rushed on 
that, old Mr. King edging his chair a little nearer 
to the Pepper circle. And then Polly’s old stove 
had to come in for a share of attention, and 
how she had to stuff all the cracks with paper, 
and Ben stuffed it with putty, and — “ Davie 

gave boot-tops,” broke in Joel, grimly even now 


172 


tHRONSIE PEPRfitl. 


at the remembrance of how he felt because he 
hadn’t any to give. 

And then that brought up Mamsie’s birthday 
cake, and the momentous work of getting ready 
for its baking; and how Phronsie’s toe was 
pounded; and how good Grandma Bascom was, 
and how she wasn’t able now to get out of her 
bed because of the rheumatism, but that those 
guests who stayed over were to go down the 
lane to see her to-morrow. 

And how the cake, compounded after Mi- 
randy’s weddin’ receet ” was at last made, and 
hidden in the old cupboard. 

^‘Joe was such a precious nuisance in those 
days,” said Jasper, always poking and peering 
around; I suppose they were afraid he’d find it 
out.” 

<^We truly had a dreadful time,” said Polly, 
shaking her head, ^Go keep him away from that 
cupboard.” 

^^That old cupboard!” declared Joel, bounding 
out of the circle to swing wide the upper door. 
“ Oh, what a lot of conniving, and how many 
dark conspiracies it might tell! ” 

And how the dreadful measles fell upon the 


SUCCESS FOR POLLY. 


173 


whole Pepper flock, and the dear mother was 
almost in despair, and how good, dear Doctor 
Pisher was, and how he saved Polly’s eyes, and 
then got her her stove. And then how the won¬ 
derful Christmas had come from Jappy and Grand¬ 
papa, and Polly had her bird and her flowers, 
and Ben had made a Santa Claus wig out of 
the hair in Mamsie’s old cushion, sprinkling it 
snowy white with flour. And how Mamsie had 
hidden all the splendid presents over at Parson 
Henderson’s. 

Such a time as we had,” breathed both the 
parson and his wife, who had run up from the 
Orphan Home at Dunraven for the occasion. 

Well — and how Phronsie had her doll, such 
a gorgeous affair she was afraid for days to show 
her to Seraphina, for fear of hurting the feel¬ 
ings of the latter. And then Phronsie had to 
get out of her chair, and make her way out of 
the circle surrounding the Pepper group, and go 
into the bedroom, where, kneeling down before 
the old bureau, she drew with a loving hand 
from the lowest drawer the two dolls. 

Bring the little red-topped shoes, too, Phron¬ 
sie,” called Polly 5 ^^do, dear.” 


174 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


So Phronsie reached back into the farthest cor¬ 
ner, and carefully drew out a tissue paper bundle 



that held the precious shoes, just as she had 
worn them last; and with her arms full, she 
was just entering the kitchen, all eyes upon her, 


SUCCESS FOR POLLY. 


175 


when Polly said in answer to some question, 
Yes, Mamsie wrote they would be in Kome 
next month.” 

Grace Tupper sprang suddenly from her chair. 
0 Mrs. King! will they, will they ? Then per. 
haps they will see my cousin Roslyn May.” 


176 


PHRONSIE PEPPEK. 


CHAPTER XI. 

ON THE WAY TO THE BEEBES. 

going down to see dear Mr. Beebe and dear 
^ Mrs. Beebe/’ cried Elyot suddenly the next 
morning; and he threw down the small trowel 
with which he had been spatting his mud-pie into 
shape, and jumped up, ‘^Come along, Barby, you 
may go too,” he said. We won’t trouble any¬ 
body to take us, ’cause they’re all busy. I know 
the way.” 

I know the way too,” declared Barby sturdily; 
and deserting the spatting of her mud-pie which 
she had been engaged in without the aid of a 
trowel, she stood straight, and thoughtfully rubbed 
her fingers on her brown linen pinafore. 

Huh — you’re too little to know the way,” 
laughed Elyot; but then I’m here, I can take you 
down,” he added patronizingly. 

I don’t want to be tooken; I’m going my¬ 
self,” said Barby decidedly; “ this very one minute 


Way To TiIe beebes. IT? 

l^m going; and she trudged off in the direction 
of the high road, not once looking back. 

-t" Elyot ran after her in alarm, and twitched her 
pinafore, That isn’t the way; we’ve got to go 
down through the lane.” 

I’m going to see my own Mr. Beebe, and 
my very own Mrs. Beebe, all alone by myself,” 
declared Barby, keeping on. And presently, com¬ 
ing to a descent in the ground, she dropped flat, 
and rolled over and over, her usual method of 
going down hill; at the bottom picking herself up 
to resume her journey. 

“ I’ll scream right out, and then they’ll come 
after us, and we won’t either of us get there,” said 
Elyot, taking long steps down the bank after her. 

Barby stopped at this, and waited for him to 
come up. You may come too,” she said ; and 
she put out her fat little hand to him. 

Elyot took it contentedly. You see, Barby,” 
he said, ^^you couldn’t get along without me. We 
must keep out of the road at first, because it 
would worry folks to see us going alone. But I 
know the way perfectly; and then how glad dear 
Mr. Beebe and dear Mrs. Beebe will be when they 
see us coming in.” 


178 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Oh, so glad ! ” hummed Bar by; I guess they’ll 
be very glad, Elyot. And I shall just kiss dear 
I Mr. Beebe, and say, ^How do you do, dear Mr. 
Beebe, pretty well I thank you mostly.” 

No, Barby, you don’t say the things together 
like that,” corrected Elyot; that isn’t right.” 

Yes, it is,” contradicted Barby sturdily. ^^And 
I shall say, ‘How do you do, my dear very own 
Mrs. Beebe, and pretty well I thank you mostly. 
I’ve heard Mrs. Higby say it.” 

“ You mustn’t say such things, Barby,” ordered 
Elyot, shaking her small sleeve with determina¬ 
tion. “You don’t know how to make calls yet. 
Mamma wouldn’t like you to talk that way.” 

“My mummy would,” declared Barby, shaking 
herself free, and panting from her exertions. “ My 
mummy loves dear Mr. Beebe and dear Mrs. 
Beeby, and Barby loves them too. And I shall 
see all the shoes, all the little wee baby ones, and 
the great big ones, and I’m going to stay all day, 
and have pink sticks for dinner.” She turned her 
hot little face up at him, and struck off bravely 
again, but her feet dragged. 

“ You’re getting awfully tired,” said Elyot j 
“ let’s go back.” 


ON THE WAY TO THE BEEBES. 179 


no, no ! ’’ protested Barby, making all pos¬ 
sible speed. So Elyot had nothing to do but to 
follow, which he did smartly, keeping close at her 
side. 

‘^And they’ll be so s’prised to see us,” went on 
Barby, growing confidential. “ Oh, dear me ! why 
don’t their home ever come, I wonder.” 

“ Oh! we’re not half way there yet,” said Elyot 
cheerfully; it’s off that way, so,” waving his arm 
down the winding road, then it’s down this 
way,” sweeping off in the opposite direction. 

Oh, dear me ! ” said Barby, with a small sigh 
she could not suppress, why is it so long, I 
wonder ? Won’t it come sooner ? ” 

You better give me your hand,” said Elyot, 
looking down into the tired little face. 

So Barby gave him her hand; and not caring 
much where she planted her feet, she pattered un¬ 
steadily on over the dusty road, letting Elyot do 
all the talking. 

Presently she said, I’m tired, Elyot, truly I 
am,” and tumbled down, a sleepy little heap, in a 
thicket of blackberry-bushes. 

“Oh, you mustn’t!” cried Elyot, pulling her 
arm; “ wake up, Barby. Mamsie wouldn’t like 


180 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


you to go to sleep here by the road.’’ But 
Barby only hummed once, I’m so tired, truly 
I am; ” and tucking her hand under her chin, 
she fell fast asleep. 

Elyot looked up and down the road. There 
was nobody in sight. It was too far to carry 
her, that he knew from his recollection of the 
distance as he had been taken there in the car¬ 
riage. Nevertheless, he got her somehow up in 
his arms, and staggered off a few steps; but she 
slipped out, and rolled up more of a heap than 
ever on the ground. 

At last he ran out into the middle of the road, 
and watched for some one to come by; and as 
no one appeared, he gathered up his small soul 
with the best courage he could muster, and sat 
down on a big stone by the side of the road. 

Some one has got to come by pretty soon,” 
he said. 

How long he waited no one knew. It seemed 
to him hours, when, Gee-lang — there, sho, 
now,” struck upon his ears, and an old farmer 
came around a bend in the road with a wagon¬ 
load of grain. 

Elyot got off his stone, and dashed over to 


ON THE WAY TO THE BEEBES. 181 


him on unsteady little legs. Oli, say, Mr. Man ! 
please would you take us, my sister and me, 
please ? 

Sho,’’ cried the farmer, pulling up his old 
gray horse, sho there — why, who be ye ? ” 
staring at him. 



Elyot gatherd up his small soul with the best courage he could muster, 
and sat down on a big stone by the side of the road. 


Oh, please, Mr. Man, take us in your wagon! ’’ 
begged Elyot quickly, and not thinking it best 
to answer any questions, ^^111 bring her;” and he 
ran over to Barby. Sit up now, you must; 
there^s a good, kind man going to carry us in 





182 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


his wagon,” while the farmer rested his hands, 
with the ends of the old leader reins, in his 
lap, and scratched his shock of light hair in per¬ 
plexity. 

(( We’re coming,” cried Elyot at last, tugging 
Barby along. Her eyes were half closed, and 
she protested every inch of the way, but he got 
ner up to the side of the wagon. 

‘‘ Land o’ Goshen! ” exclaimed the farmer, 
jumping out, I’ll help ye; there ye be.” He 
picked Barb}^ up, and lifted her over among the 
grain-bags. Curl up, now — she can sleep easy 
as a kitten,” he said. Elyot had already clam¬ 
bered up to the driver’s seat in great satisfaction; 
so presently they were off, rattling down the turn¬ 
pike. 

Wher’ ye goin’ to in Hingham ? ” at last asked 
the farmer; ^^mebbe now ye want to be dropped 
this side o’ th’ town ? ” 

“We don’t want to be dropped at all,” cried 
Elyot, hanging to the wagon-seat with both 
hands. “ Oh, please don’t drop us, Mr. Man! ” 
He glanced over his shoulder at Barby, peace¬ 
fully asleep, her head on a grain-bag. 

“I mean, where d’ye want to be let out? 


ON THE WAY TO THE BEEBES. 183 


Mebbe this side o’ th’ town,” explained the 
farmer; or shall I carry ye to Hingham ? ” 

Oh, we don’t want to go to Hingham at all,” 
said Elyot, hanging on for dear life. 

The old farmer pulled up so suddenly that 
despite his care, Elyot nearly fell out. Don’t 
want to go to Hingham ! ” he roared; what did 
ye ask me to take ye there for, then ? ” 

Oh, I didn’t! ” said Elyot stoutly; I asked 
you to take us in your wagon. And you’re so 
good, thank you, Mr. Man.” 

“Well, an’ that’s the same thing; for my 
wagon’s goin’ to Hingham; that’s where I live. 
Where in thunder do you want to go, you an’ 
th’ girl ? ” he pointed with his thumb over his 
shoulder to Barby. 

“ Oh ! we want to go to see dear Mr. Beebe and 
dear Mrs. Beebe, you know. We’ve been wanting 
to go for a good many days; and Johnny couldn’t 
come over to our house this morning, and every 
body was busy, so it was a good time;” Elyot 
kept on talking, under the impression that the 
farmer wouldn’t look so if conversation went on. 

“ Well, where’s Mr. Beebe liv^? ” demanded 
the farmer after an interval of despair. 


184 


PHIiONSIE PEPPER. 


Why, don’t you know ? I know the place 
just as easy,” exclaimed Elyot with a little laugh. 

Where is’t ? ” 

^^It’s down about there;” Elyot gave a wide 
sweep to his arm, thereby almost knocking off 
the farmer’s broad-brimmed straw hat; and he 
has such lots and lots of shoes” — as an after¬ 
thought. 

Shoes ? be ye talkin’ of a shoe-shop ? ” asked 
the farmer. 

^‘Why, of course. I thought you knew that,” 
remarked Elyot in disdain. And dear Mr. 
Beebe will say” — 

‘‘Never mind what he’ll say till he gets ye,” 
said the farmer grimly. “Now, can’t ye remem¬ 
ber where that Mr. Beebe lives ? I’ll be switched, 
if I don’t b’lieve it’s Badgertown.” 

“ Yes, yes, that’s it; of course he lives there,” 
said Elyot, nodding furiously. “ And please, 
aren’t we most there ? I like your wagon; but 
we ought to hurry, ’cause Mr. and Mrs. Beebe 
will ask us to dinner, and ” — 

“ Land o’ Goshen, I am in a scrape! ” exclaimed 
the old farmer, slapping his knee with a dingy 
hand. “Here I be with two young ones on my 


ON THE WAY TO THE BEEBES. 185 


hands, an’ don’t know no more’n one o’ them 
what to do. An’ I can’t go clear back to them 
shoe-shop Beebes, an’ I don’t durst go forrards. 
Well, mebbe some one’ll heave along, who’s goin’ 
to Badgertown, an’ll take ’em.” 

But no one heaving along” for a good half 
hour, the old farmer was just about to turn his 
old gray horse in despair, when an ancient gig 
appeared, whose swaying top gave him a delicious 
hope long before it came within talking distance; 
and he cried joyfully, ^^Well, if this here ain’t 
luck! Now, there’s Miss Sally an’ Belindy Scran- 
nage a-goin’ over to Badgertown of course.” 

Long before the old gig got alongside the 
wagon, the farmer had begun to shout out the 
story; and by the time it was all over. Miss 
Belinda, who wasn’t driving, had made a place 
on the old leather seat between her sister and 
herself; and sleepy little Barby being set thereon, 
the small head was cuddled up against that lady’s 
spencer waist, with one mitted hand put carefully 
around the little figure to hold her close. 

You get up an’ set on that basket,” said Miss 
Sally, who held the reins, and who was always 
under the impression that the ancient horse was 


186 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


just going to run away. “It’s good we took the 
flat-covered one to-day ; ’twon’t hurt it; there’s 
some garden-sass we’re a-carryin’ to our folks in 
Badgertown. There, get up.” 

“ Can’t I sit on behind ? ” begged Elyot, who 
didn’t view the basket with great affection. It 
would be fine to swing his legs in freedom, in¬ 
stead of being cooped up with the old ladies. 

“No, you can’t,” said Miss Sally with author¬ 
ity ; “ we might drop you off and never know it. 
I'm a-goin’ to have you where I can see you. 
Get in, an’ set still.” 

“They’re to go to Mr. Beebe’s shoe-store, ye 
know, on High Street,” roared the old farmer 
after them from his high wagon. 

“ Yes, yes, we’re goin’ right past there,” called 
back Miss Sally in a thin, high voice, firmly 
grasping the reins, and keeping an eye for dan¬ 
ger ahead. “Go easy there, Billy.” 

Elyot, from his perch on the flat basket, with 
his back to Billy, surveyed her carefully. He 
could tell by the big mole on her chin that it was 
no one whom he had ever seen before. He was 
quite sure he should have remembered that mole; 
and then he looked Miss Belinda over. Mean- 


ON THE WAY TO THE BEEBES. 187 


time he had to cling to the basket tightly; for 
the cover, even though flat, was quite slippery, 
and Billy had a way of putting his heels down 
unexpectedly with a thud, and not always so 
evenly as one ought to expect. 

Now, ain’t that a nice seat ? ” asked Miss 
Sally briskly, when they had plodded along in 
this fashion for a mile or so. 

‘<No; I do not think it is,” said Elyot, hanging 
on, and wishing he could turn around, or jump 
out and rest his legs just once. 

Tush-tush! little boys shouldn’t be so free 
with their tongues,” said Miss Sally, slapping 
the reins smartly up and down Billy’s back. 

Land ! when I was a little girl I always set in 
front on a basket like that when pa and ma 
took me ridin’.” 

Was it slippery ? ” asked Elyot, feeling a 
little less miserable since some one would talk, 
just like this one ? ” patting it. 

^^Yes, just as like it as two peas. Sho, now, 
Billy ! An’ I remember when pa took me to 
Cornwall Centre, and I never moved once on my 
basket, but sat just as pretty. An’ I didn’t muss 
my pelisse a mite. Don’t you remember their 


188 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


telling on’t when we got home, Belindy ? turn¬ 
ing to her sister in pride. 

^‘Yes, I remember,’’ said Miss Belinda, with 
a glance of veneration at the big square figure; 

an’ I know ma alwus said you were a proper 
child to take away, Sally.” 

Didn’t you ask to get down once, and just 
stretch your legs just once ? ” asked Elyot, who 
felt that the time had now arrived when he 
must beg that favor. 

Oh, dear me, no! ” said Miss Sally in horror. 
“Why, that wouldn’t have been proper, child. 
No, indeed, I just set pretty all the way.” 



AT THE BEEBES. 


189 


CHAPTER XII. 


AT THE BEEBES. 



HElSr they turned the corner of High 


Street, which was the former post-road 


of the old town, and began to descend its some¬ 
what crooked slope, Elyot flew off from his bas¬ 
ket, and began to shout excitedly, Oh, there it 
is — there it is, oh, 'please stop ! ’’ 

Set down, child! ’’ commanded Miss Sally 
sharply; and gathering the leather reins in one 
hand, she picked him energetically by the blouse. 
Miss Belinda exclaimed faintly, Oh, he’ll fall 
out ! ” and put out her mitted fingers to help. 

“ You keep quiet, Belindy,” said Miss Sally 
brusquely; you got one child to look after; I’ll 
see to this one. How, set still,” to Elyot, ^^till 
we get there. Then, goodness knows I’ll be glad 
enough to let you out.” 

Elyot tried to still his throbbing heart and 
hang to the basket, craning his neck to watch 


190 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


the Beebe shop, while Billy leisurely picked his 
way over the cobble-stones. 

There, here you be! ” exclaimed Miss Sally, 
as at last they drew up in front of the little 
shop, to home; and, my land, I’m thankful 
enough! ” 

Elyot was out over the wheel long before she 
finished, and holding up his arms for Barby. 

^^That boy can’t carry her,” cried Miss Be¬ 
linda nervously from the depths of the gig; 

let me get out, Sally, and take her in.” 

Nonsense ! ” exclaimed Miss Sally, who knew 
very well what settling Miss Belinda in again 
would be; she’ll wake up soon’s she’s on the 
ground. And her folks’ll come out and get her. 
Give her to me.” 

With that she bundled Barby out, a sleepy 
little heap, into Elyot’s outstretched arms. “Now, 
run right along in to home,” she commanded; 
and slapping the reins over Billy’s back, the gig 
passed slowly down the 'street. Miss Belinda 
working her spare figure around to apply her 
eye to the square of dingy glass at the back. 

“ I hope they’ll get in safe,” she breathed 
anxiously. 


AT THE BEEBES. 


191 


^^Nonsensesaid Miss Sally again. Well, 
now, Belindy,’’ and slie took up the interrupted 
thread of their morning’s business, b’lieve we 
better not take up this jell to Mrs. Jasper King’s 
till afternoon. Seein’ we’re here, we better do a 
mite o’ tradin’.” 

^Wery well,” said Miss Belindy meekly, who 
would have said, “Very well” if the other way 
had been proposed. 

Meanwhile Elyot, not taking one blissful mo¬ 
ment to stretch his legs, staggered over the uneven 
pavement, and set Barby on the broad, flat door- 
stone. Then he doubled up his little fist, being 
too short to reach the old knocker, and too polite 
to enter the shop without any summons at all, 
and rapped with all his force on the green door. 
Nobody coming, he propped Barby safely up 
against the upper step so that she would not 
fall over on her nose, and ran and peered into 
the little window strung with shoes and boots 
and rubbers of every description. 

“ Mr. Beebe! ” he cried in a shrill little voice, 
and plastering his face against the small panes 
of glass, “oh, my dear Mr. Beebe, please let me 
in!” 


192 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Open the door, and go in, child,^^ said a good- 
natured woman coming along; folks don^t knock 
when they’re going to th’ shop. Th’ knocker’s 
for Sundays, when you’re goin’ to call.” With 
that she reached over Barby, and threw wide the 
door. Mr. Beebe,” she called, here’s some¬ 
body wants to see you.” 

^^Oh, let me tell ’em first!” screamed Elyot, run¬ 
ning past her, and precip^ting himself into a fat 
old lady in a white cap with a good deal of pink 
ribbon. We’ve come all this way to see you 1 ” 
Oh, my good gracious me! ” exclaimed Mrs. 
Beebe, raising both hands in astonishment, then 
clasping him close. Pa! pa 1 ” she screamed, 
here’s the little King boy come to see us 1 Is 
your ma out there in the carriage ? ” all in the 
same breath. 

Oh, no! ” cried Elyot, in the greatest pride; 
^^we came all alone by ourselfs — and Barby’s 
out on the step; ” and he dragged Mrs. Beebe 
along by the apron. 

Old Mr. Beebe, a good deal slower than he 
used to be, came leaning on his cane, out from 
the little room at the back, and over to the 
green front door. 




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AT THE BEEBES. 


195 


Well, now, my little dear,’’ he kept saying 
all the way with a pleased smile, and beaming 
kindly over his big silver spectacles, ‘that’s nice 
to see you to-day.” 

<^You poor lamb, you,” Mrs. Beebe was saying 
to Barby, and trying to lean over to lift her up, 
there, there, oh, you pretty creeter, you ! Pa, I 
don’t s’pose you can carry her. Oh, dear, I’m 
such a stout old woman, an’ good for nothin’! ” 
Oh! I’ll get her in,” said Elyot, really afraid 
that Mrs. Beebe would tumble over; and before 
Mr. Beebe could remonstrate, he had lifted Barby, 
and rolled her in over the sill, both of the Beebes 
“ ohing ” and ahing ” all the time. 

'<Now, dear, there ain’t no manner o’ use in 
askin’ you how you come,” said Mrs. Beebe, re¬ 
straining her curiosity, ^^the first thing to do is 
to see after that poor lamb there. Do you s’pose, 
Elyot, you could manage to get her onto the sofy, 
an’ I’ll off with her shoes an’ bathe them poor 
tired little feet. Oh, you poor lamb, you ! ” 

Yes, I can,” said Elyot manfully; and between 
the help that old Mr. Beebe gave and old Mrs. 
Beebe contributed, Barby was soon on the old 
chintz sofa. 


196 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


‘^Now, says I,” declared old Mr. Beebe, rub¬ 
bing bis hands, that’s something like it. I’ll 
take off her shoes, wife, that’s in my line; an’ 
you get the hot water an’ bathe her feet.” So 
he drew up a chair to the side of the sofa, and 
putting Barby’s little dusty boots on his knee, 
he drew them off, and the stockings; and Mrs. 
Beebe, coming out with a big bowl, and a towel 
over her arm, sat down in the chair that Elyot 
drew up for her. Oh, me ! oh, my ! ” she ex¬ 
claimed compassionately, the poor precious little 
toes ! ” caressing them. 

Elyot threw himself on the floor, and rolled 
and stretched in perfect abandon. 

‘^And he’s so tired too,” said old Mrs. Beebe, 
stopping in her work to peer at him over her 
spectacles. 

Yes, I am,” declared Elyot; so awfully tired 
sitting on a basket.” 

Sitting on a basket!” ejaculated both of the 
Beebes together. 

Elyot nodded, and took another roll. 

Just then Barby pulled away the white toes 
that Mrs. Beebe had submerged with the warm 
cloth, Oh! ” she exclaimed, opening her eyes 


AT THE BEEBES. 


197 


dewy with sleep, and regarding them fixedly, I 
want some pink sticks for dinner; I’m hungry, 
truly I am.” 

“I’d rather have one of the sugar doughnuts, 
please,” said Elyot, now that his legs began to 
feel better, finding that he was very hungry too. 

Old Mr. Beebe laughed till his sides shook 
and his spectacles tumbled off, and Mrs. Beebe 
laughed too, and Elyot began to laugh, for he 
was so comforted with it all, and he knew the 
doughnuts were coming; and Barby laughed too, 
and it was so very jolly, that no one heard a 
customer come in, until he said rather gruffly, 
“ Is my boot half-soled, Mr. Beebe ? ” 

“ Oh, bless you, yes! ” said Mr. Beebe, getting 
up and hobbling over to the other side of the 
room, and he lifted a curtain that concealed a 
shelf where the repaired articles were kept; “ yes, 
I had that done yist’day, Mr. Coombs,” he said, 
bringing it out. 

“You come along with me,” whispered old Mrs. 
Beebe to Elyot, “an’ we’ll git the doughnuts. 
Lucky I made a big lot yist’day; I must ’a’ known 
you were cornin’; ” and she laughed again. 

“ And bring the pink sticks,” cried Barby after 


198 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


them. Then she leaned back on the old chintz 
pillow, and gazed entranced at the beautiful rows 
and rows of shoes dangling from strings across 
the room, and strung across the little window. 
And great green things, that afterward old Mr. 
Beebe showed her were boxes that contained shoes 
and rubbers; each had one of the articles hanging 
to it. And there, on the top shelf of all, was a 
long row of big rubber boots — oh, and it smelt 
so very lovely ! Barby lay quite still, and sniffed 
and sniffed in delight. And even when a long 
pink cinnamon stick was brought and put into 
her chubby little hand, she held it loosely and 
still gazed on. 

It’s a pink stick,” shouted Elyot at her, his 
mouth full, and taking his face out from behind 
a big doughnut. 

“ Isn’t it beautiful! ” hummed Barby in delight. 
‘‘ An’ oh! how do you do, my dear very own 
Mrs. Beebe, and pretty well I thank you mostly,” 
remembering her manners. 

‘^She will say such dreadful things,” broke in 
Elyot, quite mortified, notwithstanding his satis¬ 
faction; ^‘but you must excuse her, dear Mrs. 
Beebe, ’cause she’s very little, you know.” 





AT THE BEEBES. 


199 


You blessed dear! cried old Mrs. Beebe, 
quite overcome with admiration, and covering the 
little round face with kisses till her cap-border 
trembled. 

^^And I shall say just the very same thing to 
dear Mr. Beebe,’^ declared Barby decidedly. Then 
she began on her pink stick. 

There ain^t no mortal use askin’ them blessed 
dears how they come here nor anythin’, till they 
gits rested, Jotham,” said Mrs. Beebe, taking her 
good man by the arm as the customer departed, 
and whispering violently. And my! they’re as 
hungry — ” she glanced around at them as she 
spoke. 

^^They better ’a’ had somethin’ more solid ’n 
candy,” said old Mr. Beebe, critically eying 
them too. ^ 

Goodness me! ” cried old Mrs. Beebe, << I 
wouldn’t ’a’ kept that blessed child from her 
pink stick a minute more’n I could help. Look 
at her suck it now! ” 

Barby’s face was wreathed in smiles, as she 
lay on her back, in the fullest enjoyment of her 
pink stick, that was rapidly melting, and adding 
considerable of itself to the dust that the mud- 



200 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


pie baking and the travel had given her small 
countenance. 

“ Time enough to give ’em somethin’ solid when 
they’ve got what they wauted,” said the old lady 
wisely. Now, Jotham, we must let Mrs. King 
know as soon as we can that them childern are 
here. Think how she’s a-worritin’.” 

^‘To be sure — to he sure!” exclaimed old Mr. 
Beebe thoughtfully; well, how’ll we do it, Sarah. 
I can’t get down there, an’ now we don’t keep 
no horse — well, I d’no what to do.” 

^^We must get some one to go for us,” said Mrs. 
Beebe determinedly; and going to the door, she 
peered anxiously up and down the street. Now, 
there’s them two old ladies who come over from 
Hingham every week or so, — the Scrannages, — 
I see their gig in front o’ Simons’s shop. I won¬ 
der if they’d go for us. I mean to ask ’em.” 

She untied her apron, and threw it over her 
shoulders, it being more elegant than to go out 
with nothing over her waist, and waddled down 
the street. 

The Misses Scrannage were selecting a new 
calico dress apiece at Mr. Simons’s shop; and he 
had taken them down to the extreme end, to see 


AT THE BEEBES. 


201 


the beautiful new stock he had just gotten in. 
They were now in a complete state of bewilder¬ 
ment, not knowing whether or no to get a bright 
pink with purple spots on it for Sally, as they 
were afraid it wouldn’t wash, Mr. Simons sol¬ 
emnly assuring them every minute in which there 
was a lull in their consultations, that he knew for 
an absolute certainty that it couldnH fade. And 
when this was decided and cut off, there was the 
choosing of Miss Belinda’s gown. She had set 
her heart on two shades of green worked in to¬ 
gether, with little white dots all over the whole. 

I know that won’t wash,” declared Miss Sally 
scornfully; ‘^an’ then how ’twill look when it 
streaks,” she was saying as old Mrs. Beebe 
stepped into the shop. 

It never’11 do to interrupt ’em when they’re 
choosin’ caliker gownds,” said the old lady to 
herself; s’posin’ they shouldn’t get the right 
ones, they’d blame me every blessed time they 
put ’em on. Oh, dear me! I must wait; p’r’aps 
they’re most through.” 

But it was a good three-quarters of an hour 
before Mr. Simons clicked his scissors through the 
two pieces of calico, and they were .torn off be- 


202 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


yond recall. Every minute old Mrs. Beebe had 
been on the point of rushing home, or rather 
waddling, and had restrained herself, thinking 
she heard the supreme moment of decision ap¬ 
proaching. Pa knows where the cold meat, an’ 
the pies, an’ the bread is,” she comforted herself, 
when she got nervous sitting on the wooden stool 
they brought her to wait on. Now she hurried 
as fast as she could down to the end of the 
shop. 

^^How d’ye do. Miss Sally and Miss Belindy 
Scrannage ? ” she said in her most polite way, I 
want to ask a gret favor;” trying to pull Miss 
Sally, as the woman of business in the family, 
aside, that no one might overhear. 

“The little King children, Mrs. Jasper King’s, 
are at my house. Poor things! they must ’a’ 
walked clear down here, when no one knew it, 
and ” — 

“I brung ’em in our gig,” proclaimed Miss 
Sally in h loud voice. ^ Oh, my land, an’ good 
gracious me! ” 


FOUND. 


203 


CHAPTER XIII. 

FOUND. 

now” cried King joyfully, <^I can go 
Vy and play with Elyot and Barby!^’ He 
sprang up, and began to skip to the door. 

Oh, no, dear ! ” said Phronsie gently; you 
had three words spelled badly, you know. That 
column must be right, and then you can go.^^ 

“ 0 sister Phronsie! ” King began to whine. 
And then he grumbled, ^‘1 wish there weren’t 
any lessons in the world. I just hate ’em, I 
do.” 

Joel thrust his head in the doorway. <^May 
I come in ? ” he asked Phronsie. 

^^Yes, indeed,” she said with a smile. 

Well, well. King,” he said, going over to the 
little desk, and laying his hand on it, ^^do you 
know I said just those words you’ve used, once 
to Mamsie; and I wish I could forget it.” 

You said you hated books! ” repeated King 



204 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


in amazement, and forgetting to cry, a thing he 
had just made up his mind to do. ‘‘ Why, you 
know just everything.’^ 

^^ISTot quite that,” said Joel, bursting into a 
laugh ; but I know considerably more because 
of what Mamsie said to me then.” 

“ And what did Mamsie say ? ” asked King, 
intensely interested, and leaning across his little 
desk. 

She said study didn’t amount to much unless 
one was glad of the chance, and that she would^ 
stick to it if she had to work herself to skin 
and bone. I tell you. King, that just about killed 
me for Mamsie to have to tell me that.” 

King drew a long breath. Do you s’pose 
she’d have to say so to me, if she was here 
now ? ” he asked presently. 

^‘1 verily do,” said Joel, with a keen glance 
out of his black eyes that looked so very like his 
mother’s, that King quailed immediately. ^‘I’ll 
— I’ll study, brother Joel,” he said, reaching for 
the neglected spelling-book.” 

Joel gave him a pat on his stubby head. 

Good for you,” he said. 

Outside, Alexia was saying to Amy Longhead 


FOUND. 


205 


in the hall, ‘^Oh! no use to try to get a squint 
at Phronsie in the morning till ten o’clock.” 

^^What is she doing?” asked Amy. 

Oh ! she hears King’s lessons for an hour, and 
studies with him; he’s her care, you know, while 
Mrs. Fisher is away. But she might slip off a 
few minutes once in a while, and he’d study by 
himself. But horses can’t drag her away till the 
hour is up.” 

^^No,” said Amy slowly, shouldn’t think 
they could.” 

Umph ! ” said Alexia, remembering Polly’s 
frightful trials with her little music-scholar. 
Then she added kindly, Oh! of course not; but 
we do want her just awfully this morning. We’re 
going to have a driving-party down to the Glen; 
and of course no one can do anything without 
Phronsie.” ^ 

Oh ! of course not,” said Amy. 

Well, it won’t make that tiresome clock go 
ahead any faster,” observed Alexia, to watch 
it,” tearing off her gaze from the tall clock in 
an angle of the hall, ^^so Pm going off to find 
Cathie.” 

Amy sat down in a niche by the window, and 


206 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


busied herself with a little book she drew out of 
her pocket. How long she read she did not know, 
but King rushed past in a whirlwind of delight. 

Phronsie said I could go! Hooray! ’’ and 
Phronsie came out into the hall, followed by 
Joel. 

Now,’^ said Phronsie, we must hurry and get 
up the Glen driving-party. Joel, please see that 
Johnson understands that the horses are brought 
around for those who are to ride. And, 0 Joel! 
please see that the drag is ready, and my cart.’’ 

Oh, yes! and the trap, and the whole list of 
them. You ride Firefly, Phronsie, of course; and 
I’m going to take one of the black horses, Polly 
said I could, and ride with you.” 

^‘No,” said Phronsie; Grace Tupper is to ride 
Firefly.” 

Oh, no, Phron ! ” protested Joel. 

I asked her to,” said Phronsie. She used 
to ride a good deal, and she hasn’t had a chance 
for a long while. I want her to, Joel.” 

Any other time would do just as well,” began 
Joel. But Phronsie looked at him, and he has¬ 
tened to add, “ But of course it’s just as you 
please. Well, then, I shall drive you.” 


FOUND. 


207 


Yes, so you may,’’ cried Phronsie, well pleased, 
<^and Amy too. Take us both, Joel, do.” She 
put her arm around the young girl affection¬ 
ately. 

Joel suppressed what he felt, and said, All 
right,” and was just rushing out, when in ran 
King. 

Phronsie, where are Elyot and Barby ? ” 

^^Just over the east terrace,” said Phronsie. 

I saw them a little while ago when you were 
at your lesson.” 

^^Well, they aren’t there now,” declared King 
in an injured tone. Now, I know they meant to 
run away from me.” 

Oh, no. King dear ! ” said Phronsie, putting a 
gentle hand on his hot face. 

Well, where are they, then ? ” demanded King 
wrathfully. 

I’ll go and hunt for them,” said Phronsie 
merrily. Come, Amy, let us find those babies.” 

So Amy Longhead and Phronsie picked up their 
skirts and sped over the terraces. King racing on 
ahead, all three calling, Bar -%! Ely-o ^! ” at 
the top of their voices. 

There, they aren’t here, you can see for your- 


208 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


self/’ said King, turning a hot and flushed face 
upon them after a while. 

No,” said Phronsie, the pink color deserting 
her cheek, ‘‘1 see they are not. King.” Then, as 
he began to look frightened, she brightened up, 
and said cheerily, ^^Do you run up to the house, 
Amy dear, and get the horn from Mrs. Higby; 
then. King, you shall blow it, and that’ll surely 
bring them back.” 

“I’m going to get brother Joel first,” cried 
King, scampering off in the direction of the 
stables. 

“And tell him to set Patsy to hunting on the 
grounds,” called Phronsie after him. 

But despite the vigorous horn-blowing pres¬ 
ently set up. King puffing out his cheeks with 
all his might, and Patsy and two or three of the 
other stable-men scouring the grounds, headed by 
Joel; and notwithstanding that Phronsie and Amy 
ran hither and thither spreading the alarm, till 
Polly and nearly all the guests in the house were 
just so many searching-parties, exploring the little 
brown house and every other place that would be 
likely to attract the children, no trace of the two 
children could be found. And King threw him- 


FOUND. 


209 


self disconsolately into Phronsie’s arms, crying as 
if his heart would break. 

Miss Salisbury was up on the front veranda; 
she so far forgot herself as to wring her hands, 
when she thought no one observed her. 

“ 0 Miss Salisbury ! cried Amy Loughead, run¬ 
ning up, ‘‘ will you be so very good as to tell Aunt 
Montgomery that I’m going down the road to 
hunt for the children. I may not be back, you 
know, for some time.” 

Hey, what’s that ? ” cried Robert Bingley, 
sauntering along the side veranda. He was wait¬ 
ing for the assembling of the driving-party, and 
hadn’t heard a word of the bad news. 

‘^The two children are lost,” said Amy briefly, 
before she ran off. 

Great Caesar’s ghost! ” cried Robert Bingley. 
“Excuse me. Miss Salisbury,” as he now saw 
her; and clearing the veranda railing with one 
bound, he struck off for the group on the lawn. 
Just below lay the deserted mud-pies and the 
two little trowels. 

Meantime Amy, gathering up her skirts with 
one shaking hand, skipped down the road, only 
one feeling uppermost in her heart, — to find 


210 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Polly’s children. I must, or I shall die,” sobbed 
Amy to herself, the tears splashing over her 
pretty blue lawn gown. 

An old scissors-grinder came down the road, 
ringing his bell violently. Oh, sir ! ” cried Amy, 
rushing up at him, have you seen two little 
children, a boy and a girl ? they’re lost, and we 
don’t know where to find them.” She wrung her 
hands now, and cried all over her dress. 

Hey ? ” cried the scissors-grinder. 

“Oh! please, sir, do tell me if you have seen 
them,” begged Amy. 

“I’m deef,” said the scissors-grinder, “and I 
don’t know what you’re saying. Miss; ” and he 
put his hand behind his ear, and opened his 
mouth, as if in that way his hearing might be 
improved. So Amy got up on tiptoe, and shouted 
it all into his ear; and he shook his head, and 
declared he hadn’t seen a child on the road that 
morning, and he had just come from Badgertown 
Centre. 

“ I’ll tell you what I’ll do,” he said. “ I’ll ring 
my bell, and then I’ll cry, ‘ Child lost ’ — no, ‘ two 
children lo-ost,’ and then everybody’ll know it, 
and look out for ’em.” So he went on, ringing 


FOUND. 


211 


and jingling, and calling it out, while she flew 
down along the road. 

There isn’t any use in your doing this,” said 
a voice back of her as she sped along; and Robert 
Bingley dashed up in a dog-cart. Here, Miss 
Longhead, jump in, and we’ll search for those 
two kids together.” 

They’re Polly’s children,” announced Amy, as 
if stating a wholly new fact, and turning her sor¬ 
rowful face, down which the tears were chasing, 
to him; and it will just kill her, Mr. Bingley, if 
they’re not found.” 

^^Jump in,” said Mr. Bingley, extending his 
hand to help her ; excuse my not getting out, but 
this horse is bound to go. There, now,” as she 
was seated, which way, of all the ways in the 
universe, would those children be likely to take — 
that’s the question. Then I should take the 
other.” 

The scissors-man said he hadn’t seen a child 
on this road; and he has just come from Badger- 
town,” said Amy. 

“ I saw you interviewing him,” said Robert 
Bingley. <^Well, as that remarkably stupid indi¬ 
vidual did give utterance to that fact, I should 


212 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


state my private opinion to be that those children 
took this very road. He’s too stupid to know a 
child when he sees it.” 

<^Mr. Bingley,” cried Amy, all the color desert¬ 
ing her cheek, and in her sudden terror she seized 
his arm, ^^oh, I’ve just thought ^—there’s the pond, 
you know.” 

^<No, I don’t know,” said Bingley, distressed at 
her fright, but outwardly as cool as ice. 

Why, Spot Pond, they call it,” said Amy with 
a little gasp. “ Phronsie was telling me about it 
— what a pretty place it was, and how they would 
take me fishing there, and ” — 

‘^Were the children about so that they heard 
you ? ” he asked abruptly. 

f^Yes — no, I believe not,” she said, racking 
her brain to remember ; ^^but they may have gone 
there just the same.” 

“ Where is it, do you know ? ” asked Bingley, 
slackening speed a little. 

It’s on this road. After you get by the school- 
house, then turn to the right — that is, it’s just a 
little off the road,” said Amy; “ she told me all 
about it at the breakfast-table, O Mr. Bingley, 
do let us go there ! ” 


FOtJND. 


m 


There’s the schoolhouse,” said Biiigley, spying 
it a little distance away ; so as the pond is a 
short bit away, we better try it, instead of going 
home for assistance.” He gave the whip to the 
pony, and off they spun. 

But Spot Pond was still and lovely and serene. 
Not a ripple disturbed its clear surface, and only 
a cat-bird screamed at them overhead. 

They couldn’t have walked clear down here by 
this time,” said Kobert Bingley; besides, there 
are no little boot-tracks anywhere.” Amy clasped 
her hands tightly together. 

^^Now I shall interview the schoolmarm,” said 
Robert Bingley, driving back ; and rapping on the 
schoolhouse door, he brought out the teacher, book 
in hand, and a fringe of scholars, older and 
younger, around her. 

^‘No,” she said to his question; ^^we haven’t 
any of us seen any little children. Have you,” 
turning to some big boys who sat by the window, 
seen any go by ? ” 

No’m,” they said; and Bingley, feeling sure 
that nothing could have escaped a boy at such a 
vantage-ground, set his teeth together hard, and 
turned irresolutely. 


214 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Amy Longhead now sat up quite straight. Oh! 
I can’t go home, Mr. Bingley,” she said, ‘‘ and see 
Polly, and not take the children to her. Please 
take me into the town, and I’ll ask everybody 
there, in all the shops, and along the streets and 
houses. Somebody must know.” 

“Not a bad idea,” said Robert Bingley, whip¬ 
ping up, “ and at least your plan has action in it; 
and I confess myself that I don’t want to go home 
either without something to show for it.” 

It was well past midday when Amy, who 
had asked at every farmhouse and each smarter 
residence within the village itself, now began 
to traverse the High Street, where all the shops 
were crowded together as a trading centre. Bing¬ 
ley had begged to get out and do this for her; 
but she had refused so decidedly, and plodded 
on so persistently, that he was forced to obey 
her, and he watched her little figure and pale, 
set face, compassionately. She had just asked 
at the milliner’s, gay with its spring and sum¬ 
mer ribbons and flowers, and smart in the perky 
hats adorning the big window, and had turned 
away despairingly, going into the neighboring 
shops, and asking the same question, to leave 


FOUND. 


215 


everybody sad and anxious to help, when they 
knew Mr. Jasper King’s children were lost. Me¬ 
chanically she turned up the next step of a little 



There was Barby in a little wooden chair, eating bread and butter with a 

very sticky face. 

shop, wedged in between two taller ones, and 
having on the sign above the green door,—■ 

J. BEEBE. 

BOOTS AND SHOES. 

Have you seen,” she began, with no hope 
of success, ‘‘ two little ” — and there wa^ Barby 



216 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


in a little wooden chair, eating bread and but¬ 
ter with a very sticky face, while Elyot was 
capering around the small shop on a cane, an 
old man with big silver spectacles laughing to 
see him go. 


HOME AGAIN. 


217 


CHAPTEE XIV. 


HOME AGAIN. 



‘HE Scrannage girls/’ as their neighbors 


called them, were seated in high-back chairs 
in the big hall at ‘‘ The Oaks; ” their gig, in 
which they had followed as best they could the 
swift pony-cart bearing home the children, was 
tied at the end of the carriage-drive. They had 
cups of tea in their hands, from which they drew 
long draughts of inspiration and refreshment to 
help along their part of the tale. 

Polly sat down in front of them on a low 
cushioned seat, clasping her baby in her arms, 
and Elyot crouched on the floor, his arms in 
his mother’s lap; the rest of the household and 
guests crowding up for the recital, old Mr. King 
at the visitors’ right hand, and Amy Longhead 
modestly selecting the background. 

<^Ye see,” said Miss Sally, who as usual was 
spokeswoman, it was jest this way. We made 


218 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


up our minds to go to town this mornin’; one 
thing on account o’ bringin’ you the jell you’d 
ordered, marm,” bobbing her large bonnet at Mrs. 
King. 

Yes,” said Polly. ^^Well, and where did you 
meet the children. Miss Scrannage ? ” clasping 
Barby very closely. 

I was a-goin’ to tell you. Land ! but this tea 
is proper good. Mis’ King,” taking a long draught 
of it, and smacking her lips. Well, we made up 
our minds to come to town as I was a-sayin’.” 

“My good woman,” said Mr. King, “we do not 
care for all those particulars. What we do want 
to know is where you met those children ? ” 
pointing to Elyot and Barby. 

Miss Sally Scrannage turned her large face and 
looked at him. Wasn’t she a Scrannage of Hing- 
ham, Jabez Scrannage’s daughter ? and was she 
going to be put down that way, even if this was 
the great Mr. King, and he worth his millions ? 
She set down her teacup, and gathered up the 
crumbs of cake carefully in a little heap in her 
napkin before she was ready to open her mouth. 
Phronsie stepped softly out of the group, and 
going up to the two old ladies, she laid her hand 


HOME AGAIN. 


219 


gently on the big, square shoulder, Don’t you 
understand, dear Miss Scrannage,” she said, “ that 
we are all so anxious to know at once, just as 
soon as we possibly can, when you first saw the 
children. Their poor mother cannot bear to 
wait.” 

Miss Sally followed the hand that pointed to 
Polly. When she saw the tears on the cheek 
usually so bright, her own face softened, and her 
battle feathers, so to speak, drooped. ‘‘And I’ll 
tell you quick’s I can, my dear,” she said, “ seein’ 
you ask so pretty. But I ain’t accustomed to be 
spoke to like a dog, an’ ordered ’round, you know. 
Let’s see; ’twas after we’d got by the Hammatt 
place, Belindy, warn’t it, when we saw Abiel Bab- 
bidge driv up by the side o’ the road, an’ he a-set- 
tin’ still, an’ his horse not movin’ a hoof, an’ sez 
I — you remember what I sez, Belindy, says I” — 

“ Did Mr. Babbidge have the children in his 
wagon ? ” asked Phronsie, still standing by her 
side. 

“Yes, he did; we was quite a piece by the 
Hammatt place.” 

“ A good piece,” said Miss Belinda. 

■ “ Yes, just as I say, a good piece.” 


220 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


How far is the Hammatt place from here ? 
Ask her, Phronsie,’^ said old Mr. King. 

^^How many miles do you think the Hammatt 
place is from here, Miss Scrannage ? ” asked 
Phronsie. 

Well, I d’no. It might be six mile, and then 
again it might be five. I hain’t heard folks say.” 

Never mind,” said Mr. King. 

^^Well, Jabez he was a-sittin’ stock still as a 
stun, an’ it scart me’. I didn’t know but what 
he was dead. If it had ’a’ been cold weather, I 
should suppose he’d fruz. And I says to him, 
says ” —^ 

“ Where did he say he found the children ? ” 
asked Phronsie. 

I was a-comin’ to that,” said Miss Sally 
shortly; and picking up her tea again, she took 
a good swallow. ^^Well, Jabez he says to me, 
he says, ^Get these childern home, will ye, Miss 
Scrannage ? ’ I’m very sure he said home, ain’t 
you, B’lindy.” 

‘‘1 don’t remember,” said Miss Belinda. 

Miss Sally tossed her a look of scorn. Well, 
I do,” she sniffed. “ He says, ‘ Get these chil¬ 
dern home, will ye. Miss Scrannage, down to Mr. 


HOME AGAIN. 


221 


Beebe’s shoeshop? ’ An’ sister an’ me said of 
course we would; an’ he an’ I got the childern 
in, an’” — 



"The ' Scrannage Girls,’ as their neighbors called them." 


^^And she put me on a slippery basket, and I 
couldn’t see the horse,” said Elyot; and I didn’t ^ 
like it! ” • ' -i 

0 Elyot! ” said his mother gently, patting his 

V . 



222 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


head; just think how kind dear Miss Sally was. 
You couldn’t have gotten home without her, 
dear.” 

Elyot grunted feebly something that was inau¬ 
dible, especmlly as Miss S^lly, much mollified by 
Mrs. King’s words, proceeded,— 

‘^So B’lindy took care of the little girl,’" — 
Polly glanced over with a smile at ‘^sister’s” 
meek face, — “ an’ I had the wust, ’cause I had to 
drive, an’ I had that boy. Well, an’ we went fust 
of all to the shoe-shop. I was a-comin’ here with 
the jell fust, but then I thought, bein’ you said 
you warn’t ” — 

Oh! I didn’t need the jelly,” said Polly has¬ 
tily; thank you for going to Mr. Beebe’s first.” 

^^An’ I jest let the childern out, of course, as 
I s’posed ’twas their home, an’ that’s all I know, 
’cept that old Mis’ Beebe run in to Simons’s with 
an apun over her head,— we was tradin,’ gettin’ 
some new calikers, you know,” said Miss Sally 
in an important way, an’ ” — 

“ She asked you to let us know, did she ? ” 
asked Phronsie. 

Yes, she did ; an’ then I told her I was tlie 
one that brung them childern to her shop, an’ 


HOME AGAIN. 


223 


then we hearu a squeal, an^ that boy there,” 
pointing her long finger at Elyot, ^^come runnin’ 
in the shop, an’ said he’d come to bid old Mis’ 
Beebe good-by, and the little girl come along too, 
an’ he said they’d sent for ’em to come home 
right away, an’ he was a-comin’ again some time 
— but I know one thing, an’ that is, that I won’t 
bring him.” 

Sally, Sally,” ventured Miss Belinda in a 
shocked tone. 

‘^Dear Miss Scrannage,” cried Polly, rushing 
out of her seat, and clinging to Barby, while 
Elyot dragged after, clutching her gown, ^^and 
dear Miss Belinda, you don’t know how grateful 
I am to you for all your lovely care of my little 
ones. I wish — oh, how I wish my husband was 
home to thank you too ! Oh ! we never can repay 
you.” She took their withered and hard hands 
in her soft, warm ones. 

And I’d like to kiss you,” said Barby, putting 
up her rosy lips, anyway her — I would like to 
kiss her,” pointing to Miss Belinda, who was 
blushing like a winter apple, and beaming at her. 

^^ISTo, we never can repay you,” repeated Polly 
out of a full heart. 


224 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Miss Sally received all this with the greatest 
satisfaction, but her cup of happiness was quite 
full when Grandpapa got deliberately out of his 
chair and advanced to her. 

^^And you mustn’t mind what an old fellow 
says, Miss Scrannage,” he said, holding out his 
hand with a courtly bow. Goodness me, my 
dear woman, can you guess what we’ve suffered 
when those blessed babies couldn’t be found ? 
And so shake hands, and forgive whatever you 
didn’t like in my words.” 

Oh, I’ll forgive ! ” said Miss Scrannage, put¬ 
ting out her toil-worn hand with just as much 
pride; ‘^an’ mebbe I hadn’t orter been so quick 
myself; but I can’t help it, for I’ve got it from 
the Scrannage side o’ th’ house, an’ it’s hard to 
pull up. Well, now, B’lindy, seein’ all’s comfort¬ 
able, we better be a-goin’. We’re goin’ to stay 
all night, ye know,” she said, addressing the 
company, down to our cousin’s in town; but we 
got to go to one or two more o’ th’ shops, an’ 
then we want to visit some before supper.” 

Mr. King did not dare to interrupt; but he 
kept fingering his pocket-book nervously, well 
concealed as it was. His eyes sought Phronsie’s 


HOME AGAIN. 


225 


face and Polly’s, and finding no encouragement 
in either, he cleared his throat, “ Hem ! well, now. 
Miss Scrannage, I don’t want to hinder you; but 
what sort of a man is this Mr. Babbidge, I believe 
you said his name was, that gave the children 
to you ? ” 

Oh ! he’s a good sort o’ man, ’Biel Babbidge 
is,” replied Miss Sally, dretful poor he is, 
an ’” — 

Poor, is he ? ” cried old Mr. King with in¬ 
terest. 

Land, yes ! never was forehanded; couldn’t be, 
with that sick wife of his.” 

Is she sick ? ” asked Phronsie pityingly. 

Yes; hain’t done a hand’s turn for a year, 
with rheumatiz, an’ before that ’twas newmony, 
an’ before that ” — 

Poor man ! ” said Polly ; of course he could¬ 
n’t get along, with a sick wife.” 

That’s so,” assented Miss Sally; “ an’ he 
hain’t got along; has to hire whatever help he 
gets in the house. He’s dretful good to his wife; 
sets a store by her, an’ treats her jest like a baby. 
She w^as a Potter, lived down to th’ ” — 

Now, Miss Scrannage,” said old Mr. King 


226 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


desperately, and bringing the pocket-book out to 
the surface, want to reward somebody for all 
their goodness to me and to my family in bringing 
our children home. Do help me to do it.’’ 

“You better give it to ’Biel Babbidge, then,” 
said Miss Sally with a stiffening in her back, as 
she looked in his eyes. Tken she glanced at 
her sister, who straightened herself involuntarily. 
“ Land, yes! he’s dretful poor, an’ needs it.” 
She stepped out of her chair with the air of 
being able to buy up all Badgertown. “ Come, 
B’lindy, we reelly must be a-goin’. I thank you 
for that cup o’ tea. Mis’ King; ’twas reel pa’ticler 
good, and you. Miss Phronsie, thank you. Good- 
day,” with an old-time courtesy to the company. 

Elyot rushed after her. “ Pm sorry I said 
that about the basket,” he cried. 

“Kow,” said Phronsie, as they all turned back 
and went slowly over the lawn, the whole com¬ 
pany having escorted the old ladies to their car¬ 
riage, the gentlemen vying in their attentions, and 
David securing the honor of unhitching Billy, 
“why cannot we take our driving-party over to 
Hingham to-morrow, instead of to the Glen, and 
see Mr. and Mrs. Babbidge ? ” 


HOME AGAIN. 


227 


‘^And do up the business with them/’ finished 
old Mr. King. The very thing, Phronsie,” with 
a grateful smile at her. ‘‘1 only wish I could 
wind up my debt to that Miss Scrannage as 
easily,” he groaned. 

‘‘ 0 Phronsie ! ” cried Polly ecstatically; that’s 
a lovely plan. Oh, you dear, for thinking of it! ” 

And every one of the company thereupon ex¬ 
pressed their great delight. Suddenly Elyot 
glanced down the road. Oh, I see papa! ” he 
howled; he’s on top of the stage.” 

^^Well, well, what is the whole family drawn 
up here in parade for?” cried Jasper, swinging 
himself down from Mr. Tisbett’s side. And 

0 Jasper! what has brought you so early?” 
from Polly. And then all the story had to be 
gone over and over, with many things inter¬ 
spersed by Elyot and Barby, who felt that half 
enough attention had not been paid to the Beebes, 
and who clamored for every one to hear what a 
splendid time they’d had in the little shop. 

And I sat in the little chair that Aunt Phron¬ 
sie sat in,” cried Barby. Truly I did, papa,” 
pulling his sleeve. 

^^Yes, she did,” said Elyot; ^^the same little 


228 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


wooden chair that Aunt Phronsie sat in when 
she got her red-topped shoes; Mr. Beebe said so. 
And I had doughnuts — all I wanted.’’ 

Polly viewed him in alarm, while Joel smacked 
his lips. ^-We remember those doughnuts, don’t 
we, Dave,” poking the college instructor in the 
ribs. 

And then they all hurried in, Jasper’s arm 
around Polly, while his children hung to his hand; 
for he had brought out a new piece of music he 
wanted to try with Polly before dinner. 

On the way to the music-room, Joel picked up 
a little book from one of the window-niches in the 
big hall. Whose is this ? ” he asked, carelessly 
whirling the leaves of a Greek poem. 

That’s Miss Longhead’s, I believe,” said Bob- 
ert Bingley, who stood next, and looking over his 
shoulder. 

Impossible ! ” exclaimed Joel impulsively. 

What, belong to that little thing! Why, man 
alive, she never knew enough to understand that 
there was such a book.” And then he turned and 
met Amy Longhead’s blue eyes. 


SOME HINGHAM CALLS. 


229 


CHAPTEK XV. 

SOME HINGHAM CALLS 

"pHEONSIE,” said Joel desperately, I can’t 

^ take Miss Longhead with us.” 

^^0 Joey! you promised,” said Phronsie in a 
grieved way. 

But I can’t do it — do beg off for me some 
way. Why, it’s impossible for me to look the 
girl in the face after what I’ve said. How I 
could ever have spoken so, I don’t see,” went 
on Joel remorsefully. 

Phronsie was about to say something; but 
thinking better of it, she only smiled comfort¬ 
ingly. 

Do, will you, Phronsie ? ” begged Joel in a 
wheedling way. 

I think you ought to take Amy all the more 
because you did speak so, Joel,” said Phronsie 
quietly, ^^so I cannot speak for you, dear.” 

Joel turned off, and ground his boot into the 


230 


. PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


gravel. “All right, Phronsie,” he said, turning 
around. 

But just here Grandpapa came around the 
curve in the path. “ Phronsie, you will drive 
me in your cart,” he said. 

“Shall I, Grandpapa?” 

“Yes, dear; and tell Johnson to put my bay 
in.” 

“Yes, Grandpapa.” Phronsie looked at Joel. 
His black eyes said, just as when a boy he had 
been delighted at anything, “ Oh, goody! now 
I sha’n’t have to drive that girl to Hingham.” 

Phronsie answered the look by, “ 0 Joel! now 
it will help to make up for what you said; as 
you can take Amy Longhead over alone, and 
that’ll show her you are sorry.” 

Joel’s face lengthened. “Keally, Phronsie ? ’’ 

“ I would,” said Phronsie; then she ran off to 
get ready. 

“ Miss Longhead,” said Joel awkwardly, go¬ 
ing into the music-room where she stood alone, 
turning over some of Polly’s music, “ I don’t 
know as you’ll go with me — I’m sure I shouldn’t, 
if t{fe cases were reversed; but I was to take 
my sister Phronsie aild 'you on the driving-party 


SOME HIKGHAM CALLS. 


231 


to the Glen yesterday, you know.’’ He paused, 
having come to the length of his chain, and stared 
helplessly at her. 

Yes,” said Amy. 

Well, now it’s Hingham, instead; and Grand¬ 
papa wants Phronsie to go with him, so it leaves 
you and me out in the cold,” he said with an at¬ 
tempt at a laugh. 

Amy said nothing, so he had to plunge on. 

A nd if you’ll be willing under the circumstances 
to let me drive you, why. I’ll do it,” finished Joel 
desperately. 

Do you wish to, Mr. Pepper ? ” asked Amy, 
raising a pair of clear blue eyes to his, ‘^because 
do not really try to do it — to — make up — for 
anything. I’d rather you didn’t,” she said ear¬ 
nestly. 

^^I do wish it,” said Joel heartily, “if you are 
willing — that’s the question. Miss Longhead, I 
never was so sorry in all my life for anything,” 
he declared; and he hung his head, wishing he 
were small enough to be whipped, and be done 
with it. 

Don’t feel distressed about it,” said Amy. 
<^I was a little goose, Mr. Pepper, in the old 


232 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


days ; and I just wasted my time, and I wouldn’t 
study; and I worried Polly dreadfully.” It was 
now her turn to look distressed, and Joel cried 
out, Don’t look so, I beg of you.” 

And you were quite right in believing I 
couldn’t, or I wouldn’t, study now,” said Amy. 

I don’t blame you, Mr. Pepper.” She put out 
her hand, which Joel seized remorsefully. 

‘‘ Will you go ? ” he cried eagerly, and hang¬ 
ing to it, — will you ? ” 

^^Yes, I will go,” said Amy Loughead, pulling 
away her hand, and smiling brightly. 

Oh, beg pardon! ” ejaculated Joel, backing 
off,” “1 Avas thinking it was Phronsie.” Then 
in hurried Kobert Bingley. 

‘^Miss Loughead, I’ve been looking everywhere 
for you. May I have the pleasure of driving 
you to Hingham this morning ? ” 

I am going with Mr. Joel Pepper,” said 
Amy. And Joel heard his friend Bingley say, 
^^Whew!” and he meant to have it out with 
him some time for that. 

At last they were off, — Mrs. Higby, shading 
her eyes with her hand, watched them from the 
upper door, — all but Jasper, who went as usual 


SOME HINGHAM CALLS. 


233 


with the little publishing bag ” to town in the 
early train. The children were distributed evenly 
throughout the party on the drag; Polly and 
Grace Tupper, Ben and David were on horse¬ 
back ; and Grandpapa and Phronsie led off in 
the dog-cart merrily; while Joel and Amy Long¬ 
head brought up the rear, the interval being 
filled by a big beach-wagon. When Eobert Bing- 
ley found how it was, he clambered into this 
last, without a sign on his face that he didn’t 
choose that place to begin with. 

^^Well, really,” observed Percy, adjusting his 
monocle with importance, ^^this road looks ex¬ 
actly like all country roads — don’t you know.” 

Van, on the back seat with Gladys Kay, 
grinned. Astonishing fact,” he whispered to 
her. ^^It’s his monocle that does that.” 

Polly wouldn’t like it to have you make fun 
of your brother,” she said. 

Van colored up to the roots of his light hair. 

I’m glad you’re going to be like Polly, Gladys,” 
he said, ^^and keep me straight.” 

Indeed, I’m not going to keep you straight,” 
she cried with spirit; you’ve got to keep your¬ 
self straight. But I shall say things that I’ve 


234 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


heard the Peppers say, for it’s good for you to 
hear them.” 

“ Isn’t this fine,” cried David, riding up to 
the side of the trap — eh, Joe ? Doesn’t it take 
you back to the days when we used to race bare¬ 
foot along this Hingham road ? ” 

That it does,” cried Joel, in huge delight, and 
raised back to his self-esteem by the quiet poise 
of the girl beside him, who evidently meant to 
take everything as it had been before his cruel 
and unlucky speech. She’s one girl in a thou¬ 
sand for sense and a good heart,” said Joel to 
himself many times on the drive. Nobody else 
but Polly and Phronsie could have done it.” 

When they reached Hingham, as they did in 
good time, it was an easy matter to find Abiel 
Babbidge’s house. Everybody knew him, and 
could tell the old yellow house, run down at the 
heel, as it were, set back from the side road. All 
around it lay one of the New England farms, 
whose principal crop seemed to be stones, which, 
if removed, would leave not much else. Good 
gracious me!” ejaculated old Mr. King, as Phron¬ 
sie turned the bay up the scraggly wagon-path to 
the door. 


SOME HINGHAM CALLS. 


235 


The whole procession came to a halt. ^^Phron- 
sie/’ said Grandpapa, you’d better ask to see 
Mrs. Babbidge. I’ll tackle him if he is home.” 

Shall I, Grandpapa ? ” asked Phronsie, get¬ 
ting out. 

Oh, let me! ” howled Elyot, trying to spring 
off from the drag. I want to see my nice Mr. 
Babbidge.” 

And me too,” cried Barby ; let me too ! ” 
King was consumed with envy, and so was 
Johnny Fargo, because they had no former ac¬ 
quaintance to plead. “ I wouldn’t,” he said, lay¬ 
ing a restraining hand on Elyot’s jacket. 

^^You let me alone,” cried Elyot crossly, and 
twitching himself free. You don’t know my 
Mr. Babbidge. Oh, do let me get down! ” 

So you shall, dear,” said Polly, riding up to 
the side of the drag, ‘^and Barby. Bun along 
now, chickens,” as somebody lifted Barby down 
and set her on the ground, and call your, Mr. 
Babbidge out. We all want to see him.” 

Thereupon King and Johnny screamed for per¬ 
mission to get down, which being accorded, they 
whooped off also, and disappeared around the 
house in the direction of the dilapidated barn. 


236 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Presently Abiel Babbidge appeared, shambling 
and shamefaced, with one of the King children 
hanging to either hand, — the other boys trying 
to catch on somewhere, and not succeeding very 
well. 

Polly reined her horse up to his side. How 
do you do, Mr. Babbidge ? ” she said, putting out 
her dainty riding-glove. I am the children’s 
mother, and I want to thank you for all the kind 
care you gave them yesterday.” 

‘^0 Moses and Methuselah!” exclaimed Abiel 
Babbidge, startled out of any sort of manners; 
^‘ye be! Why, I can’t tech ye’re hand with 
this.” He extricated one of his horny palms 
from Barby’s grasp, and held it up to her. 

Polly shook it warmly. I cannot thank you, 
Mr. Babbidge, as I want to. May I see your 
wife ? ” and she rode up to the old horse-block 
and dismounted. 

Abiel Babbidge’s face fell. ‘‘ My wife is sick,” 
he said slowly, and something like a tear fell 
from his eye. Elyot pulled away his hand, and 
looked up in astonishment at him. 

I know she is not well,” said Polly gently; 
but I thought perhaps you would think she could 


SOME HINGHAM CALLS. 


237 


see me and my sister/’ taking Phronsie’s hand. 

But not if you do not think best, Mr. Bab- 
bidge.” 

Ye may/’ said Mr. Babbidge abruptly. I 
declar to gracious I sh’d be glad to have her see 
ye both. ’Twould bring her right up, mebbe.” 

Old Mr. King got slowly out of the dog-cart 
while ]\Ir. Babbidge was escorting Polly and 
Phronsie in. On the top step, Polly turned and 
said softly, Now run away, children, and don’t 
make a noise under the window.” 

Oh, we’re going in! ” cried Elyot, pushing 
with all his might to get in first. 

Mamma says not,” said Polly; and they 
tumbled back quickly, and swarmed into the dog¬ 
cart to wait with Grandpapa. 

In a few minutes out came Mr. Babbidge’s 
head and shoulders in the doorway. They want 
ye,” he nodded to old Mr. King; who, mightily 
pleased to be summoned, wended his way to the 
steps. 

Somebody come • and sit with those young¬ 
sters,” he cried, shaking his walking-stick at the 
bunch of them in the cart. So Ben got out of 
the drag, and ran up just in time to save the 


238 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


bay from getting a smart thwack from the whip 
that Johnny Fargo had captured. 

^^The next boy that gets hold of that whip 
will tumble out of this cart,” said Ben decidedly. 

Polly sat by the side of the bed in the old bed¬ 
room that opened out of the kitchen, Phronsie 
stood by the foot, as Abiel Babbidge said to Mr. 
King, ‘‘There’s my wife, sir,” and pointed to the 
bed. Under the old patched bedquilt she lay, 
propped up by pillows; everything marvellously 
neat, but oh, so coarse and poor! She had a smile 
on her thin face; and her hand, all drawn up with 
rheumatism, was extended in simple courtesy of 
an old-time pattern. 

“ Oh! how do you do, madam ? ” said old Mr. 
King much shocked, and for the life of him not 
knowing what to say. 

But Mrs. Babbidge knew no embarrassment. 
She asked her husband to get some more chairs 
from the kitchen and bring in; and when he, 
big and awkward, knocked down more things in 
the carrying out of this request than he could 
pause to pick up, she passed it serenely over, and 
smiled at him just the same. 

Polly felt the tears in her eyes, in spite of all 


SOME HINGHAM CALLS. 


239 


her efforts to keep them out. ^^Dear Mrs. Bab- 
bid ge,” she said gently, ^^you know a mother 
who has had her little children restored to her as 
I have, and largely through your good husband’s 
kindness,” — here Mrs. Babbidge sent a proud 
glance over at him, at which he blushed like a 
girl under his big farmer’s hat he forgot to take 
off,—finds it hard to express her thanks; and 
so I brought you, from my husband and from me, 
a little gift.” Here Polly laid down a small par¬ 
cel on the patched bedquilt, and tucked it under 
one of the drawn and twisted hands. 

How about the Scrannage ladies ? ” asked old 
Mr. King, drawing Abiel off to a corner; ‘‘ they’re 
pretty well off, I expect.” 

They hain’t got much but pride,” said Abiel, 
shifting from one foot to another, ‘^but enough 
o’ that to carry this hull town.” 

• Poor, are they ? ” asked the old gentleman. 

Poor — well I should say so; why, I guess 
it comes hard on ’em to keep a cat. But then 
they’d rather starve themselves than to scrimp 
her. But they’re monstrous ginteel.” 

Dear, dear! ” said the old gentleman, with 
great concern. 


240 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Ye see, they’re a-workin’ to pay off that there 
mortgage the old squire left; been a-workin’ on’t 
for twenty year now, an’ mos’ likely they’ll die 
a-workin’ on’t; but then ^we will die a-workin’ 
on’t,’ as Miss Sally said to me only t’other day; 
and bless my buttons, so she will,” declared Mr. 
Babbidge, slapping his knee. 

How much is it ? ” asked old Mr. King. 

‘^Five hundred dollars,” said Abiel. 

Five hundred dollars ! ” repeated the old gen¬ 
tleman. 

Yes, ’tis, every bit; awful, ain’t it; ’cause 
they’re wimmen, an’ there ain’t no way for ’em 
to arn money, only to make jell.” 

They wouldn’t accept a little gift, you think ? ” 
asked the old gentleman suddenly, not if she was 
to give it,” pointing to Polly, “ or her sister ? ” 

Massy sakes — no,” cried Abiel in alarm ; 
‘^they’d set the dorg on you; that is. Miss Sally* 
would, if she had a dorg. They wouldn’t take it 
from the angel Gabrel.” 

Nevertheless, when they went out of the Bab¬ 
bidge household, the old gentleman had made up 
his mind to something; and, by the time they 
were on the way homeward, he announced to the 



“There now, it’s done, Grandpapa, dear," said Phronsie, tucking 
the bit of paper under the old door. 















































SOME HINGHAM CALLS. 


243 


rest of the procession, ‘^We are going down to the 
Scrannage house.’’ 

And down to the Scrannage house ” they went. 
There it stood, by the lilac-bushes, with its flag 
walk between the rows of ancient box; its blue- 
green blinds, and its big-knockered door — just as 
it had stood in the old squire’s time, with a mort¬ 
gage on it. 

The whole procession drew up silently. ^^You 
all sit still,” commanded the old gentleman. 
^^Phronsie, you come with me.” So, Ben hopping 
into the dog-cart again to hold the bay, the two 
passed up between the rows of box, and halted 
at the blue-green door. 

^^Now, Phronsie, I want you to help me,” said 
Grandpapa, because that Miss Sally Scrannage is 
truly awful to deal with. But whether she likes 
it or not, child, I’m going to lift that mortgage.” 

0 Grandpapa, I’m so glad ! ” exclaimed Phron¬ 
sie, the sunlight all in her eyes. 

So,” said the old gentleman, get behind the 
lilac-bush here, child; ” and he took out a paper 
from his pocketbook that proved to be a check, 
filled it out, and handed it to Phronsie. ^‘ISTow 
stick it under the door, Phronsie; the crack’s big 


244 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


enough. And when they get home, and find it, 
and that Miss Sally comes for me, I can tell her 
you did it.” 

will do it. Grandpapa,” said Phronsie, run¬ 
ning off happily, to tuck the bit of paper under 
the old door. “ There, now, it’s done. Grandpapa 
dear. And I am so glad.” 

^‘And now let us get in, and drive off like hot 
shot,” exclaimed the old gentleman, hurrying 
down the path. I really feel as if I heard 
Miss Sally after us now.” 


MR. MARLOWE HELPS MATTERS ALONG. 245 


CHAPTER XVI. 

MR. MARLOWE HELPS MATTERS ALONG. 

P HROXSIE passed slowly up the path to the 
little brown house door. The last of the 
party of guests at “ The Oaks ” had just departed. 
She turned the key in the lock and went in, pick¬ 
ing up, on her way, the playthings the children 
had left the afternoon before, strewn on the old 
kitchen floor. 

Phronsie sat down on a low seat, and leaned 
her head in Mamsie’s old rocking-chair. Outside, 
a little gray squirrel ran up and down the big 
apple-tree, and peered in the window chattering 
loudly; the china basket of sweetbrier noiselessly 
dropped a .petal now and then on the old kitchen 
table, and the clock ticked away busily; and still 
Phronsie did not move. 

Mamsie,’^ she was saying softly to herself, 
is it very wicked for me to 2 vant to see Roslyn ? 
I will stay with Grandpapa; but oh, I want so to 
;ust see Roslyn.” 


ue 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


And. after a long pause she said, I could not 
ask Grace all she knows about him — oh, to think 
that he is her cousin ! because that would not be 
right to Grandpapa, who did not want me to see 
him. But oh! I cannot help thinking of him; 
and is it very wicked, Mamsie, just to think 
of him?” 

Still Phronsie did not move. When she did 
lift her head, there were no traces of tears upon 
her cheek, only her hands were clasped upon her 
knee, and a white line settled around the droop¬ 
ing mouth. 

Dear Grandpapa,” she said softly, ‘‘ he has 
done everything for us, and all his comfort is in 
us. He needs me; and I’ll try again not to think 
of Eoslyn. But oh, Mamsie ! ” She laid her head 
once more upon the old cushion in the rocking- 
chair, and kept it there for a long time. 

Old Mr. King had gone to town in the early 
morning train with Jasper. Having not only a 
great delight in Mr. Marlowe, so that he seized 
every possible opportunity to be with him, Mr. 
King had absorbed such a violent pride in the 
whole publishing business as conducted by Mar¬ 
lowe and King, that he had become a silent part- 


MR. MARLOWE HELPS MATTERS ALONG. .247 


ner, and contributed such a generous amount of 
funds as to make possible the great breadth and 
extension that had been longed for by its founder. 



Phronsie leaned her head upon Mamsie's old rocking-chair. 

<^And I don’t want anything to say about the 
working of the capital,” the old gentleman had 
cried. Gracious, man alive,” to Mr. Marlowe, 
“ I don’t know anything about business ; and I can 
trust you, who have brought it up to this.” 







248 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


So Mr. King resolutely kept away from ak 
business conferences to which he was always 
asked; and he pinched his lips under his white 
mustache very tightly together whenever the fit 
seized him to give advice. Whenever this was 
particularly strong upon him, he invariably kept 
away from town, working it off by scolding at the 
editorials in the morning paper. At other times 
he would sometimes take an early morning train 
with Jasper, and spend hours in wandering over 
the big establishment, in which he was a great 
favorite, and in reading and examining the books 
and periodicals turned out; swelling with pride 
more and more at the splendid character of the 
work he saw before him. 

Sometimes Phronsie was with him, and often 
Polly came; and now and then Elyot or King 
hung to his hand, and listened to his delighted 
praise of the whole thing. 

But this day he announced that he was going 
alone with Jasper. And when they arrived at 
the publishing house, he said, in a very different 
tone from that he had used on his first visit,— 
“And what a first-class fool I was then, to be 
sure,” he reflected, — “Jasper, my boy, see if Mr. 


MR. MARLOWE HELPS MATTERS ALONG. 249 


Marlowe would like to talk with me now. If not, 
I’ll go up into the bindery and see that new ma¬ 
chine.” 

Mr. Marlowe wasn’t ready to see him, being, as 
on the former occasion, occupied with a gentleman 
who had made the appointment for that hour ; so 
Mr. King did go up into the bindery, whereat all 
the working-people looked up with a smile, as the 
old gentleman made them his courtliest bow. 

^‘Father,” cried Jasper, springing up the stairs 
two at a time, Mr. Marlowe is ready now. He 
is dreadfully sorry to keep you waiting so long, 
but it couldn’t be helped. Mr. Strong did not get 
through, but lapped over on the agent of the new 
paper company, who had an appointment.” 

Say no more, my boy,” cried his father. I 
don’t mind waiting a half-hour. I’ve nothing 
special to do, and it’s pleasant up here.” 

A half-hour ? ” repeated Jasper, taking out 
his watch. You’ve been up here just three 
hours, father ! ” 

To be sure,” cried the old gentleman, glancing 
at it, and then whipping out his own, when he 
burst out laughing, and took Jasper’s arm, and 
went down stairs. 


250 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


I move that we all three go out to luncheon/’ 
said Mr. Marlowe, as they came into his small 
private office. What do you say, Mr. King ? ’’ 
Yes, yes, to be sure; a good plan,” assented 
the old gentleman, who always said yes ” now¬ 
adays to everything Mr. Marlowe proposed. 

And we can begin our talk there, and finish 
it here,” said the publisher, putting down his 
desk-cover. 

^‘Now, Jasper, my boy,” said old Mr. King, 
when the three were together in a quiet corner 
at the restaurant, ^M’m going to say something 
that will perhaps make you feel badly a bit.” 

Jasper put up his hand involuntarily. 

It won’t make a thing come a minute the 
sooner for talking of it,” said the old gentleman 
cheerily; ^^but I’m not going to live forever, and 
that’s a fact. I never should have lasted half so 
long if it hadn’t been for you, my boy,” laying 
his hand across the little table on Jasper’s, who 
grasped it eagerly, ^^and for those blessed Pep¬ 
pers. And, dear me, I mean to go right straight 
on living a long while yet,” he added, with a 
glance at Jasper’s pale face. ^^But I want a good 
talk with both of you to-day. I don’t mind say- 


MR. MARLOWE HELPS MATTERS ALONG. 251 

ing that a certain thing troubles me, and I want 
to get it off my mind.’^ 

Mr. Marlowe said nothing, his clear-cut face 
quietly turned to the old gentleman, waiting for 
him to proceed. 

“ There’s no man living, Marlowe, that I’d ask 
advice from sooner than you,” said Mr. King; 
‘^and that you know.” 

A bright smile shot over the publisher’s face, 
lighting up the keen gray eyes with a world of 
affection. I know,” he said simply. 

^^It’s about Phronsie,” said old Mr. King bro¬ 
kenly, and his handsome white head drooped. 

Don’t, father,” began Jasper, dreadfully dis¬ 
tressed ; “ Phronsie wouldn’t want you to feel 
badly.” 

^‘1 would let your father speak what is on his 
mind, Jasper,” said Mr. Marlowe quietly. 

^^She — she — oh, you know it already,” said 
the old gentleman with difficulty, formed an at¬ 
tachment with a young sculptor when we were 
last abroad. I introduced them myself. He’s 
General May’s nephew, working in Eome; got a 
high degree of talent, and all that. But, oh, 
Phronsie ! ” 


252 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Mr. Marlowe’s imperturbable countenance gave 
no hint to any onlooker that anything but the 
most ordinary conversation was in progress; the 
other two sitting with their faces to the wall. 

And now that precious child is really and ab¬ 
solutely in love with that man,” said Mr. King 
in a subdued but dreadful voice. I didn’t be¬ 
lieve it until I saw her face the other night when 
little Grace said he was her cousin. Marlowe, 
what can I do ? ” He grasped the strong right 
hand lying on the table. 

^^Mr. King,” said the publisher, with a light¬ 
ning-like gleam in the gray eyes, I can only tell 
you certain ways of looking at the matter that 
seem right to me. You may not like what I say.” 

You will say it all the same,” said the old 
gentleman grimly. 

I shall say it all the same,” said Mr. Mar¬ 
lowe. 

“ That’s what I like you for,” broke in Mr. 
King. Why, if I hadn’t wanted the truth, I 
wouldn’t have come to you, man.” He leaned for¬ 
ward, and gazed into the clear gray eyes. 

You approve of Eoslyn May as a man ? ” asked 
Mr. Marlowe. 


ME. MARLOWE HELPS MATTERS ALONG. 253 


Dear me, yes. Why, if I hadn’t, do you sup¬ 
pose I would have introduced him to Phronsie,” 
cried the old gentleman, somewhat irately. 

Certainly not. Now, what is there that you 
disapprove of in him?” asked the publisher. 

^‘Nothing; that is, the young fellow is all right, 
I suppose, only — why Phronsie is a mere child 
yet. She’s my little one ! ” 

^^Miss Phronsie is twenty years old,” said Mr. 
Marlowe. 

Bless me, why so she is ! ” exclaimed Mr. King. 
And then, as if a wholly new idea had struck him, 
he kept repeating to himself at intervals as the 
waiter brought the luncheon, Phronsie is twenty 
years old. Phronsie is twenty years old ! ” 

It doesn’t seem a day since that child sent me 
her gingerbread boy,” he said aloud, when the 
meal was half over. 

I suppose so. That’s a way time has of 
treating us all,” said Mr. Marlowe. Well, I am 
glad you broached this subject, Mr. King; and 
now, with your permission, we will finish it when 
we get back to my office.” 

Jasper shot him a grateful glance ; and quite 
easy in his mind about his father, now that the 


254 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


ice was really broken, and the dreaded subject 
open for future discussion, lie gave a sigh of re¬ 
lief as he saw the countenance of the old gentle¬ 
man lighten. 

I take it, Mr. King,’’ observed Mr. Marlowe, 
when they were once more in the little private 
office with orders for no callers to be admitted, 
that Phronsie’s welfare is what you are most 
concerned about ? ” 

“ Yes, yes,” cried the old gentleman; it is, 
Marlowe.” 

“Then, that is really the only thing for us to 
consider in this conversation. You admit that 
you believe Phronsie to be deeply in love with 
this young sculptor ? ” 

Old Mr. King whirled abruptly around on Jas¬ 
per. “ What say you, Jasper ? ” he cried. “ Per¬ 
haps she isn’t,” with a sudden hope that Jasper 
might confirm this. But Jasper looked him stead¬ 
ily in the eyes. “You are right, father. Phronsie 
has loved him ever since you brought her home, I 
believe.” 

The old gentleman groaned aloud, and caught at 
the table for support. 

“ And it is only her love for you,” said Jasper, 


MR. MARLOWE HELPS MATTERS ALONG. 255 


seeing in Mr. Marlowe’s eyes the counsel that the 
whole of the truth had better be spoken, ^Hhat 
has made her able not to show it.” 

Old Mr. King got out of his chair, and took as 
many turns around the small room as its space 
would allow, fuming like a caged animal. 

And what do you want me to do about it, 
Marlowe ? ” he demanded presently, stopping 
short in front of that gentleman’s office-chair. 

I do not want, nor advise anything,” said Mr. 
Marlow calmly. 

“ Well, what do you think I ought to do,” he 
fumed — “ that’s the same thing. Come, speak out 
and be done with it, man.” 

For answer, Mr. Marlowe turned to his desk 
full of papers. ^M’ve talked enough,” he said 
with his bright smile. Think it out for yourself. 
King; you’ll do the right thing.” And he put 
out his strong hand kindly. The old gentleman 
grasped it without a word, and hung to it a mo¬ 
ment, then clapped on his hat. “ I won’t wait 
for you, Jasper,” he said. I’m going home.” 

Don’t you want me to go with you, father ? ” 
cried Jasper with a glance at Mr. Marlowe. 

“ You can go just as well as not,” said that 


256 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


gentleman; ‘‘ there is nothing pressing this after¬ 
noon.” 

‘‘No, no,” said the old gentleman imperiously; 
“ I’ll go by myself. Good-day, Marlowe.” 

“Jasper,” said his friend, as the tall, stately 
figure passed rapidly out down the long salesroom, 
“don’t be troubled,” glancing into Jasper’s over¬ 
cast face; “ it is better as it is. Let him think it 
out by himself. And believe me, my boy, the 
greatest kindness one can do your father, is to pre¬ 
vent him from being untrue to himself.” 

“I know it,” said Jasper; “but, 0 Mr. Mar¬ 
lowe ! you do know, because you’ve seen it, how he 
just worships Phronsie. We all do for that mat¬ 
ter ; but father — well, that’s different. She’s just 
everything to him.” 

“ And that’s just the very reason he wants to 
show her that he is worthy of it,” said the pub¬ 
lisher gravely; “ and no one must point it out to 
him. He must travel that way alone, till he can 
think only of her good. And he’ll do it.” 


ALEXIA HAS GKACE TO HERSELF. 257 


CHAPTEK XVII. 

ALEXIA HAS GRACE TO HERSELF. 

ELL, if I^m not glad to get you here! ” 



cried Alexia that same morning, drag¬ 


ging Grace into the front doorway of The Pump¬ 
kin.” ‘‘Xow you shall make me such a visit! 
Dear me, won’t we have good times together,” 
making all sorts of wild plans in her mind on the 
spot, to atone for any former coldness. 

I can’t stay but two days,” cried Grace in 
alarm. “ I’m to go back to ‘ The Oaks ’ then.” 

Nonsense! Why, it'would take you two days 
to see that blessed child alone. You’ve no idea 
how he’s grown this last week,” said Alexia. 

. Hadn’t I better see him now ? ” asked Grace,, 
feeling it unsafe to put off such a wonderful sight 
any longer. 

That you had! ” exclaimed Alexia, delighted 
at such enthusiasm. Come right up into the 
nursery this very minute, Grace.” 


258 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


So the two ran up the winding stairs into the 
tiny box of a room called the nursery. There on 
the floor, sprawling after a red rubber ball, was 
Algernon. His mother seized him, and covered 
his round red face with kisses. The blessed, 
precious baby! ” she cried. 

. Ar-goo-goo-goo ! ” screamed Algernon in a pas¬ 
sion, and kicking fearfully. 

See how he tries to talk — how he does talk ! ’’ 
cried Alexia, whirling around with him till his 
arms and legs appeared to Grace like so many 
spokes to a wheel in rapid motion. ‘‘Oh, my 
dear! So he should tell his old mother all about 
it. Grace, isn’t he perfectly wonderful ? ” 

“He ts a baby,” said Grace, saying the first 
thing that came into her mind. 

“I knew you’d say so‘when you came to see 
him,” declared Alexia, with a triumphant flush on 
her sallow face. “ That isn’t half he can do, either.” 

She set Algernon on the floor, and dropped 
there herself, regardless of her elaborate morning- 
dress. “ Crawl over mummy, now,” she com¬ 
manded. 

But Algernon preferred to crawl just the other 
way, after his ball. 


ALEXIA HAS GRACE TO HERSELF. 259 


That’s just it! ” cried Alexia delightedly, 
you see he’s not to be led. He’s going 
to think for himself. Oh, I expect great things 
from that boy, Grace ! ” 

A placid-looking woman in a big stiff white 
cap sat by the window sewing. 

^^ISTow, there’s Bonny,” said Alexia, still sitting 
on the floor, and looking over at her, she’s thor¬ 
oughly commonplace, and can’t rise to the superi¬ 
ority of that blessed child. And strange to say, 
Grace, his father can’t either. But I can; oh, 
you dear! ” with that she caught Algernon by one 
of his fat little legs, and drew him to her. And 
then ensued a wild screaming on Algernon’s part, 
and a petting on Alexia’s, Grace backing off to the 
door, feeling that the room was too small for so 
much action. 

How I’m going to have a talk with you, 
Grace,” said Alexia presently, and.hanging tightly 
to her baby, come,^’ in one of the lulls when 
Algernon paused to take breath, let’s go into 
your room.” 

‘‘ Can we talk with the baby ? ” asked Grace 
with wide eyes. 

^‘Nonsense ; yes, indeed ! Algernon loves to hear 


260 


PH RONS IE PEPPER. 


conversation, and lie really understands a good 
deal,” said Alexia, tucking her “blessed child” 
under one arm, and going off. “ This is your 
room, right next, so you can hear his dear little 
voice the first thing in the morning. Oh, you dar¬ 
ling ! ” stopping to kiss Algernon. Then she ran 
with him into Grace’s small apartment room, and 
dumped him into the middle of the bed. “ Now, 
then, Grace, he’s all right. Come in, dear, this is 
your room.” 

“Will he stay there?” asked Grace fearfully. 

“ Dear me, yes,” said Alexia; “ he’s so very sen¬ 
sible. And I’m going to sit this side to make it 
absolutely sure. Well, now, Grace, take off your 
bonnet, and come here. I want to ask you some¬ 
thing.” 

Grace took off her bonnet, and came round by 
the side of the bed. 

“ Sit on the foot there, will you,” said Alexia. 

“ That’s a dear. Well, now, Grace, do tell me 
about Kosyln May. I’ve been dying to know, 
and couldn’t get a chance with all this swarm 
of company around our ears, ever since you said 
he was your cousin the other night. How did 
that ever happen ? ” 


ALEXIA HAS GRACE TO HERSELF. 261 


he was born so/’ said Grace. 

Of course, you stupid child,” cried Alexia; 
‘^why, even Algernon would know that! But I 
mean — oh, isn’t it just the most wonderful thing 
in all the world that it turns out that Eoslyn May 
is your cousin ? ” 

Why, no; I don’t see how it is very wonder¬ 
ful,” said Grace in a perplexed way. 

Oh, dear me I well, you are stupid — I mean ! 
well, I wish I could tell you, but I suppose I 
mustn’t.” 

“ And what made everybody look so queer when 
I spoke his name, when Mrs. King said that the 
Fishers were going to Eome ? ” asked Grace, 
recognizing here a mystery, and meaning to get 
at the bottom of it. Why did they, Mrs. 
Dodge ? ” 

Oh, dear me ! Algernon, would you tell her ?” 
asked his mother. 

Ar-goO! ” said Algernon, having recovered 
himself, and finding it very pleasant to pull at 
the pillow-shams. 

There, since that blessed child says so, I be¬ 
lieve I ought to tell you, Grace ! ” said Alexia; 
and besides, all our set, the old friends I mean, 


262 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


know it. Why, Phronsie Pepper and Poslyn May 
are lovers.’^ 

Grace gave a squeal that entirely threw Alger¬ 
non’s into the shade, as she hopped off from the 
bed, and ran around into Alexia’s arms. ‘‘Oh, 



"Ar-goo!" said Algernon, finding it very pleasant to pull at the pillow- 
shams. 

say that again — do say it again, dear Mrs. 
Dodge ! ” she cried with blazing cheeks. 

“ Oh, my goodness me! ” cried Alexia, feeling 
of her throat; “ how you scared me, Grace ! And 
you’ve frightened this blessed child; ” as Algernon 




ALEXIA HAS GRACE TO HERSELF. 263 


put up his little lip, and scuttled over like a rah 
bit to the side of the bed next to his mother. 

can’t help it — I can’t help it,” cried Grace 
wildly, and spinning around the room on her toes; 
“to think that my dear Miss Phronsie Pepper 
loves my cousin Poslyn May — oh, oh! ” 

“ Do stop ! ” cried Alexia, picking off her boy 
from the bed to go after her and pluck her by the 
sleeve. “Hush, hush — Bonny will hear. And 
besides, it can’t ever be — no, never in all this 
world, I tell you; so what’s the use of hopping 
so.” 

“ Can’t ever be ? ” asked Grace, coming to such 
a dead stop that she nearly overturned Alexia, 
baby and all. “ Didn’t you say, Mrs. Dodge, that 
they loved each other ? ” 

“ Yes ; oh, dreadfully ! ” said Alexia, backing up 
against the wall; “ but it won’t ever be that they 
will be married, because Grandpapa King don’t 
want Phronsie to be married.” 

“He don’t want Miss Phronsie to be married 
when she loves somebody ? ” gasped Grace. 

“ Oh, well! he doesn’t exactly believe that she 
does love him,” said Alexia testily, who had pri¬ 
vately berated him so many times when talking 


264 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


it all over with Pickering that she was now sore 
on the subject, ^‘and he wants her to himself.” 

Grace Tapper sat down on the first thing that 
she could see, which proved to be the scrap-bas¬ 
ket. ‘^Doesn’t old Mr. King love Miss Phron- 
sie ? ” she gasped. 

^^Yes, yes,” gasped Alexia, running to pull 
at her; but get out of that scrap-basket. Polly 
Pepper made that for me years ago, and you are 
mussing all the ribbons.” And calling to Bonny, 
who came without a ripple on her placid counte¬ 
nance, she bundled the baby into her arms, and 
began to pull out the big pink bows from which 
Grace gave a bound. 

‘^I’ll tell you all about it, and then you must 
tell me all about it,” she said, when the pink 
bows were found not to be much crushed after all. 

There, come over here to the sofa. IPs a mercy 
that you didn’t ruin that basket. If you had, I’d 
never have forgiven you, Grace Tapper, in all 
this world. Well, you see, it all happened three 
years ago when they were abroad, — Phronsie and 
Grandpapa King and David, and the Fishers and 
Charlotte Chatterton, — there w^as a perfect mob 
of them; Charlotte was just going over to be- 


ALEXTA HAS GRACE TO HERSELF. 265 

gin to study in Germany. And although Polly 
and Jasper heard something of it in Mother 
Fisher’s letters, it wasn’t till they all got home 
that we knew how it was. And then Eoslyn 
May came over twice to see her. And then the 
most awful thing, Grace Tupper, in all this world, 
you can’t think,” she leaned her elbows on her 
knees and regarded Grace fixedly, “ happened, 
and I’ve been worried to death about it ever 
since.” 

What ? ” Grace scarcely breathed it, while 
her large blue eyes dilated fearfully. 

^^Why, Eoslyn May came across just a few 
weeks ago,” said Alexia in a stage whisper, 
actually came to this side of the Atlantic, and 
didn’t come to see Phronsie ! And I think — I 
really and truly do, Grace Tupper — that Grand¬ 
papa King had something to do about it; for 
Eoslyn May didn’t stay but one day. What do 
you think of that ? ” 

It was so very dreadful, that Grace couldn’t 
think of anything for the space of a minute; 
then she said, in a puzzled way, But how could 
old Mr. King have done anything when he didn’t 
see Eoslyn — I don’t see.” 


266 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


“ I don’t see either,” said Alexia irritably, 
‘^but it’s my private opinion publicly confessed 
that Grandpapa King is mixed up in it some 
way. It worries me to skin and bone. And 
Pickering won’t do anything when I beg him to, 
and everything is just as horrid as it can be. 
AYell, now, tell ine all about your cousin Poslyn 
May,” she added, brightening up, and eager for 
the news. 

Why, you see he is my very own cousin,” 
cried Grace in the greatest pride. 

How ? ” interrupted Alexia; is General May 
your uncle ? ” 

Yes,” said Grace; ^^he is my mother’s brother. 
And Cousin Roslyn is awfully smart. Why, when 
he was a little boy he got hold of some clay, 
and he made dogs and pigs and horses just as 
natural. And Uncle May took him abroad—you 
know his mother died when he was a baby.” 

Oh, dear ! ” said Alexia. 

Yes, she did,” said Grace. <^Well, and 
Uncle May took him abroad to see if it was 
really in him to be a sculptor, he said, and 
everybody was perfectly astonished. But Eoslyn 
was determined to como home to be educated.” 


ALEXIA HAS GRACE TO HERSELF. 267 


Good for him ! ” cried Alexia. 

“ Yes; and so he waited till after he’d got 
through college before he really did much sculp¬ 
turing. Then he went abroad to stay; and I tell 
you he’s just worked ! Why, haven’t you heard 
of the things he has done ? ” 

She opened her blue eyes widely at Alexia now. 

‘^Yes — yes, child, of course,” said Alexia; 
don’t want you to tell me that newspaper talk, 
I want to hear about /lim. Is he nice ? ” 

Oh, he’s splendid! ” cried Grace, beating her 
hands together. If he were to come into the 
room now, you’d say you never saw such a hand¬ 
some man.” 

I don’t know about that,” said Alexia, who 
had ideas of her own as to manly beauty. 
‘‘Well, go on.” 

“ And all the girls are in love with him,” 
said Grace; “but he’s just devoted to his art, 
and he don’t care anything for any of them.” 

“ Except Phronsie,” said Alexia. 

“Except Miss Phronsie,” cried Grace, hugging 
herself at the thought. “Well, and the first bit 
of money he ever earned, — it w'as for a fountain 
or something, and it took the prize, — the design. 


268 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


I mean, — he gave it to a poor boy he knew at 
home, who hadn’t any money to study with. 
And mamma is going over next fall to see him; 
and I’ve been teasing her to take me, but she 
said I must stay with Aunt Atherton another 
year and go to school. And now — 0 Mrs. 
Dodge! I didn’t tell you, for this other news 
scared it all out of my head — Mrs. King has 
asked me to stay at ‘ The Oaks.’ ” 

You don’t mean it, Grace ? ” cried Alexia, 
catching her by the arm; why, I meant to 
have you myself.” 

‘^Well, I’m to be with dear Mrs. King, and go 
in every day to Miss Willoughby,” said Grace 
in great satisfaction; for mamma answered Mrs. 
King’s letter and said so, and Miss AVilloughby 
says she wants me back again. She really did, 
Mrs. Dodge.” 

I don’t doubt it, child,” said Alexia. 
rather like you myself. Well, now, Grace, this 
troubles me.” She nursed her knee with her 
long arms, and gazed into Grace’s face. Koslyn 
May is your cousin, and I am just determined 
to do something to help Phronsie. I can’t keep 
still any longer; I shall fly out of my head if I 


ALEXIA HAS GRACE TO HERSELF. *209 


do. Now, can’t you write to him, and ask him 
why he didn’t come to see Phronsie when he 
was over last time. That will bring some sort of 
an answer, and at least tell us the reason.” 

“ Oh, so I will! ” cried Grace, springing up; “I 
will write it now, this very minute.” Then she 
stopped suddenly, and her face turned scarlet. 

Mrs. Dodge,” she said, I’d rather not. I’ve 
just been silly, you know, and — and — I don’t 
mean to do anything I don’t ask Miss Phronsie 
or Mrs. King about first.” 

‘^And you blessed child,” cried Alexia, kissing 
her, I knew the minute I’d asked you I’d said 
the wrong thing. To tell you the truth, Grace, 
I never do a single thing without asking Pickering 
first. Oh, dear me! but what shall we do ? Things 
can’t be left to themselves so. Something muse 
be done.” 


270 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


GRANDPAPA DOES THE RIGHT THING. 

HE little brown house door opened slowly. 



and some one came in. Phronsie raised 
her head. Why, Grandpapa! ” she exclaimed, 
have you come home ? ” 

Yes; I thought I would, Phronsie; there 
wasn’t much to detain me, and I finished early.” 

Phronsie had risen and hurried over to him, 
putting her hand affectionately through his arm. 

You are not sick, Grandpapa dear ? ” she asked, 
anxiously looking up into his face. 

^^Ho, no, child; that is, only sick of .myself,” 
he answered with a short laugh. Phronsie stood 
quite still in a puzzled way, regarding him closely. 
‘‘There’s nothing to worry about, Phronsie, noth¬ 
ing at all. Only T thought I’d have a little talk 
with you. Come here, child.” He took a seat 
in a big easy-chair, and drew her to his knee. 
“There, now we can be comfortable.” 


GKAKDPAPA DOES THE EIGHT THING. 271 


Phronsie fixed her brown eyes upon him won- 
deringly. 

Phronsie, I’ve always been a curious old chap. 
I wouldn’t say so to any one else, only to you, 
dear; but I have.” 

0 Grandpapa ! ” cried Phronsie convulsively, 
and throwing her arms around his neck, don’t, 
don’t, dear Grandpapa! You’ve always and ever 
been beautiful,” she sobbed in great distress. 

^‘Well, there, there, child,” said the old gentle¬ 
man, patting her back as if she were three years 
old, and mightily pleased with her tribute, ‘^you 
love the old man, and that’s enough. But what 
I should have done Avithout you, child, no living 
mortal knows. I’m sure I cannot tell. Well; 
and now, Phronsie, I want to say something, and 
you must hear me. Sit up, dear, and let me see 
your eyes.” 

So Phronsie sat up quite straight on his knee, 
and he held her hands, and she never took her 
eyes from his face, but listened attentively to 
every word. 

You see, Phronsie, it’s just this way. I’ve been 
thinking over many things lately, and I’ve come 
to the conclusion that I made a mistake in send- 


272 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


ing Roslyn May off. So I’ve just been writing 
to him that it strikes me he would better run 
across again.” 

All the pink color had gone from Phronsie’s 
cheek long ago, and she now sat pale and still, 
her brown eyes fastened on his face. 

Does that please you, child ? ” asked old Mr. 
King after a pause, and smoothing her yellow 
hair. 

“ Grandpapa, has some one been speaking to 
you about it, and wanting you to write to Ros- 
lyn ? ” she asked suddenly; the brown eyes 
flashed, and she looked at him steadily. 

^^Ko indeed; I thought it all out by myself,” 
he answered with conscious pride, ‘^and it seems 
to me the best thing to be done. Really it does, 
Phronsie.” 

Do yotc wish it. Grandpapa ? ” she asked 
slowly. 

‘^Yes, I do, child. Listen, now, Phronsie. 
You are not to cry, child, nor to feel badly; but 
you know Grandpapa is an old man, and cannot 
last forever, and” — 

For answer, Phronsie dropped her head upon 
his breast, and cried bitterly. It was some time 


GRANDPAPA DOES THE RIGHT THING. 273 


before lie could soothe her, though he tried every 
means in his power. At last he said, << This is 
making me ill, child. 

Phronsie took up her head quickly, and put her 
hand caressingly over his white hair. “ Does it. 
Grandpapa ? she asked, her face working con¬ 
vulsively. 

Yes; that is, I shall be,’’ said the old gentle¬ 
man artfully, ‘‘if you cry. And if you want to 
please me, Phronsie, you will be very glad that 
I wrote to Roslyn. I want to see you happily 
settled myself, child, and to enjoy it all. Why, I 
expect to live years and years, Phronsie; ” and 
he sat erect, and looked so handsome and strong, 
that Phronsie smiled through her tears. “ Don’t 
you love him, child ? ” he asked abruptly. 

“ Yes, Grandpapa,” said Phronsie, “ I do.” 

“ Very much ? ” asked old Mr. King, with a 
dreadful pang at his heart. 

“ Very much indeed,” said Phronsie. 

“ Child, child, why didn’t you tell me ? ” he 
cried, holding her to him remorsefully. “ Oh, 
why didn’t you tell your old Grandpapa?” he 
groaned. 

It was now Phronsie’s turn to comfort him; for 


274 


PHRONSIE PEPPEll. 


he felt so very badly, that it was some time before 
she could get him out of the dreadful state into 
which he was plunged. But at last they emerged 
from the little brown house hand in hand, Phron- 
sie looking up into his smiling face. 

^^I’ve been hunting just everywhere for you, 
father dear/’ cried Polly, running down the ter¬ 
race to meet them, and waving a yellow envelope. 

It’s from Mamsie, of course. Do open it. 
Grandpapa,” lapsing, as she often did, into the 
old familiar title, and see what she says.” 

With a merry laugh, and holding it so that 
Phronsie could see, the old gentleman tore it 
open, and stared blankly at the words: — 

Hotel Constanzi, Rome, June 22, 18 —. 

“ Roslyn May very ill with low fever. Come and bring 
Phronsie. Adonieam Fishek.” 

They were off the next morning. Grandpapa 
and Phronsie, hurrying down to New York to sail 
on the following day. Joel, informed of it by 
telegram, got a brother minister to take his place 
for a fortnight or so, and determined to go too. 
And hardly before Polly and the rest of the home 
people at “ The Oaks ” had accustomed them- 


GRANDPAPA DOES THE RIGHT THING. 275 


selves to think of it as a settled thing surely to 
be, the little party were off on the waste of 
waters, that lengthened every day into a terrible 
distance between them and their dear home. But 
they were going to Mamsie and to Eoslyn! And 
although Mr. King was dreadfully overcome at 
the thought of what might meet them at the end 
of the journey, as a result (he now felt quite 
sure) of his meddling with Phronsie’s happiness, 
he kept up pluckily on her account, and never let 
a sign of his inward trepidation be seen. 

^^Oh, how do you do — Joel was saying very 
carelessly, as Phronsie came up to him on deck, 
to a very elegant-looking person, who extended 
two fingers to her — Mr. Bayley, Mr. Livingston 
Bayley, you remember, Phronsie.’^ 

And Mrs. Livingston Bayley,” said that gentle¬ 
man, as the young girl bowed, presenting a hand¬ 
some, showily dressed person, who eyed Phronsie 
all over. ^^Well, ’pon me honor, this is not half 
bad, don’t you know, to meet in this way.” . 

Phronsie, not knowing exactly what to reply, 
left it to Joel, who didn’t care to, but stood 
gazing blankly out to sea. 

^^We have only been in America a week,” said 


276 


PHRONSIE PEPPEK. 


the lady in a sweet little drawl, ^^and I made 
Mr. Bayley bring me directly to London again. 

I absolutely could not exist unless he did.” 

‘‘ A beastly boat, ain’t it now ? ” said Mr. Bay- 
ley with a yawn. 

Haven’t tried it yet enough to say,” replied 
Joel with a short laugh. 

‘‘ How are all your family ? ” asked Mr. Bayley 
a trifle awkwardly, which so disconcerted him that 
he paused mid-air for another idea. 

“ All very well, thank you,” said Joel. 

Your sister, Mrs. King, is she well now ? ” 
pursued Mr. Bayley, trying to be very nonchalant, 
and fumbling at his cigarette case. 

^^Very well indeed, thank you,” said Joel. 

Mr. Bayley, I think I must have my constitu¬ 
tional now,” said his wife with another drawl, and 
putting her hand on his arm. 

Oh, yes, certainly — certainly,” said Mr. Bay- 
ley. Well, I’m awfully glad, don’t you know, 
that, we’ve met again,” making elaborate adieux. 

^^And I hope we shall see much of each other 
on the voyage,” said Mrs. Bayley sweetly, with no 
eyes for any one but Phronsie. 

Thanks,” said Joel as they swept off. 


GRANDPAPA DOES THE RIGHT THING. 277 


If you please, miss,” said the deck-steward, 
coming up and touching his cap respectfully to 
Phronsie, “ there’s an old woman who says she 
wishes you would come to see her. She’s in her 
stateroom.” 

“ An old woman ? ” asked Phronsie wonderingly. 

‘‘ Yes, miss. She didn’t give her name, but said 
she saw you come on board yesterday. And she’s 
very urgent, miss.” 

‘‘ I’ll go with you to the door, and you can find 
out who she is,” said Joel. 

Phronsie moved off after the steward, and held 
out her hand to Joel. You can wait for me out¬ 
side.” 

The stateroom, small and uncomfortable, into 
which she was ushered, while Joel paced up and 
down outside, was so dark, that at first Phronsie 
could not see distinctly its occupant. 

0 miss ! ” cried an old lady, trying to rise in 
her berth, and brushing away the straying white 
hair from her cheek, you don’t remember me. 
But I’ll never forget you nor your face.” It was 
Phronsie’s little old woman of the Berton electric 
car. 

What can I do for you ? ” asked Phronsie 


'278 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


gently, and standing by the berth she smoothed 
the straying hair. 

“ 0 miss, I’m afraid I’m going to die, and I 
can’t when I’m just going home.” 

don’t think you will die,” said Phronsie, 
‘‘and I am sorry you feel ill.” 

“It is just this way, miss. I’m all worn out 
with gladness to get home and put my feet on 
English ground,” said the little old woman hun¬ 
grily. “ But I must tell you about it; because if 
I should die, I want you to know all about it. 
You see, my husband and I came over because 
he didn’t want to live on his sons, and he fancied 
America, and being independent there in a new 
country. And so we came a good many years 
ago; and our sons felt dreadfully, for they wanted 
us to stay with them. But John, he’s my hus¬ 
band, said ‘no,’ and you couldn’t move him. 
Well, we were very happy living in a little 
home of our own, and my husband worked the 
ground to suit himself as best he could; and 
though I worried some, and I know he did, only 
he was always still like, to see the grandchildren, 
they were so cunning when we came away, we did 
pretty well. Only English ways of farming are 


GRANDPAPA DOES THE RIGHT THING. 279 

different from yours, and John was too old to 
learn new ways, and so we began to get behind. 
And we didn’t care to make new friends, and we 
didn’t know how, and so when John was taken 
away there wasn’t any one to advise me, and the 
property was sold off for almost nothing. And 
after I’d got a letter, I had it in my pocket the 
day you were kind to me in the car, I was all so in 
a tremble I hadn’t read it, I just sat down and 
answered it when I got home. It was from one 
of my sons ; and I told him the whole truth, and he 
sent me the money, and told me to come on this 
boat. But I’m trembling so, miss,” she held up 
her thin arm that shook like a leaf, ^Hhat I’m 
afraid I won’t last till I get there. And I want 
you to see my boy, who’ll be there to meet me, 
and tell him for me that his father said he was 
sorry we came away, before he died, and he sent 
his love to both of ’em, and he blessed all the 
grandchildren, and so do I; ” and her voice sank 
to a whisper. 

Phronsie knelt down by the berth, and put her 
face very near to the troubled one. Don’t be 
worried,” she said, as if to a child. ^^You are 
lonely, I think, but not very ill.” 


280 


PHEONSIE PEPPER. 


“ Ain’t I ill, miss ? ” cried the little old woman 
pleadingly. Oli, I’m so glad ! I thought I was 
going to be most dreadfully sick, and I was afraid 
to call the doctor to hear him say so; ” and she 
gave a sigh of relief. 

^‘No,” said Phronsie; I do not really think 
you are very ill, but I do believe you want 
something to eat. Now, I am going to tell you 
what I think you had better do, if you want to 
have me.” 

wish you would, miss,” said the little old 
woman gratefully, and clinging to her. 

A cup of beef tea is the first thing,” said 
Phronsie cheerfully; and getting to her feet she 
touched the electric button, and on the appear¬ 
ance of the deck steward, ordered it; ‘^and then 
I will brush your hair, and you shall sit up in 
bed, and I will talk to you.” 

0 miss, how good you are! ” exclaimed the 
little old woman, leaning back against her pillows, 
while two tears coursed down her cheeks. 

Joey, dear,” said Phronsie, going to the door 
of the stateroom, am going to stay here now 
a little while. It is all right, dear,” as Joel took 
a look within. The next moment he marched in. 


GRANDPAPA DOES THE RIGHT THING. 281 


and up to the side of the berth, and put out his 
hand. 

Well, my good Mrs. Benson, how did you get 
here ? ’’ 

The little old woman gave a scream of delight. 

Mr. Pepper ! ” she exclaimed, seizing his hand. 

It’s one of my good parishioners, Phronsie,” 
said Joel, taking both of the thin little hands in 
his big strong one; but I lost sight of her, and 
nobody could tell me where she went.” 

‘‘1 didn’t want to let you know,” said Mrs. 
Benson shamefacedly; so I was going to write 
you as soon as I got to England, and my son was 
going to write too, and thank you for all your 
kindness to me.” 

^^Ah, but you don’t know how I looked for 
you,” said Joel, shaking his crop of short black 
curls, that was a dreadful cross for him to carry, 
as he admired straight hair intensely, especially 
^^in the ministry,” as he said. 

Well, I went up to Berton,” said little Mrs. 
Benson, because folks said that there I could 
get a place as matron in an orphan asylum. But 
I didn’t — and then came my son’s letter.” 


282 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


CHAPTER XIX. 


TRYING TO BE CHEERY. 

H, dear, dear! ” King struggled manfully 



Vy with his sobs, and then wailed outright; 
and running into Polly’s room he crouched behind 
the door. 

Grace Tupper came after him. King, you 
mustn’t,” she whispered, leaning over to pull him 
out. 

Let me be ! ” cried King, wriggling away from 
her; and he roared on. 

^^Your sister Polly will hear you,” cried Grace 
desperately. 

She can’t; she’s got comp’ny,” sobbed King in 
a fresh burst. I wa — want Phronsie, I do ! ” , 

So we all want her,” said Grace with set 
teeth; but, 0 King! don’t cry, dear. There, 
there, I’m sorry for you.” She smoothed his 
stubby head with a kind hand, wishing she could 
say something to comfort. 


TRYING TO BE CHEERY. 


283 


Who’ll he — hear my lessons ? ” olubbered 
King, who never had been known to worry over 
them before; and if I don’t say ’em, Mamsie 
won’t tell me I’ve been a good boy. Oh, dear! ” 
^^Now, there is something I can do,” cried Grace 
joyfully, can hear those lessons. King; and 
just as soon as Mrs. King’s company has gone, 
I mean to ask her if I mayn’t.” 

^‘1 don’t want you,” said King, with one eye 
on her, the other obscured by his arm, and feel¬ 
ing dreadfully sorry that he had mentioned les¬ 
sons anyway. 

But I can help Mrs. King,” cried Grace in 
a transport, flying around the room; for of 
course she will have to hear them now. And, O 
King! I’ll make you pictures of the countries you 
study about, and the natives, and” — 

What’s natifs ? ” asked King bringing the 
other eye out. 

Why, the people who live there, and ” — 

And make bears, will you. Miss Grace ? ” 
cried King, dreadfully excited, and springing out 
in front of her. ‘‘ Oh, say, please do — and have 
’em catch some of the natifs, and chew ’em, and 
’most eat ’em up. Will you. Miss Grace ? ” 


284 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


‘‘Yes, 141 make bears,” said Grace, glad now 
of her power to sketch, “ and ever so many other 
things. King; that is, if you are good,” she said 
hastily. 

“Oh! I’ll be just as good as everything,” said 
King, clasping his hands. “ Begin now, do. Miss 
Grace;” and he began to pull her along to the 
little room where the lessons were always said. 

“No, King,” said Grace, “I can’t begin those 
lessons until I ask your sister Polly first. But 
I’ll draw you a picture of anything you choose.” 

“ Oh, goody ! ” exclaimed King, jumping up and 
down, and making so much noise that Elyot came 
running in, and after him Barby, trailing her doll 
by one leg. 

“ Stop, you mustn’t come in here! ” shouted 
King, with a very red face, and trying to slam 
the door against them ; “ Miss Grace and I are 
going to do something.” 

“ What you going to do ? ” demanded Elyot, 
crowding in. 

“ What going to do ? ” asked Barby, wriggling 
and pushing. 

“ Go right straight out! ” demanded King, push¬ 
ing the door with all his might. 


TRYING TO BE CHEERY. 


285 


0 King, King! ” cried Grace, pulling at his 
sailor collar. 

“ This is my mamma’s room,” said Elyot 
stoutly ; and I am not going out — so there ! ” 

^^My mummy’s room,” declared Barby, shak¬ 
ing her curls at him; an’ I’m coming in, I 
am.” 

^^You sha’n’t. We’re going to draw the most 
beautiful pictures of bears — and eating men up, 
and everything,” howled King quite beside him¬ 
self, and beginning to use his teeth and finger¬ 
nails. 

Oh, dear me!” cried Grace Tupper, unable 
to do a thing to stop them. And she sat right 
down in the middle of the floor, and began to cry. 

Polly’s company just departing, Polly ran 
lightly over the stairs. ^‘Why — children!” she 
exclaimed, pausing at the landing. 

He’s going to draw be-yewtiful bears, 
mummy,” cried Barby, dreadfully excited; and 
being the nearest to the hall, she ran out, and 
threw herself into her mother’s arms. 

0 boys —boys ! ” cried Polly sorrowfully, com¬ 
ing in, Barby hanging to her gown. 

Both boys, now engaged in a lively tussle. 


286 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


stopped pulling each other’s hair, and sat up. 
Grace Tapper sat still and cried on. 

^^He wouldn’t let me come in and see it all,” 
cried Elyot with flashing eyes. 

^‘ISTo, he wouldn’t, mummy,” said Barby, shak¬ 
ing her head. 

^^And Miss Grace was going to draw ’em for 
me,” screamed King; and they pushed and 
scrouged dreadfully.” 

What ? ” said Polly. Where did you learn 
that word. King ? ” 

Oh, dear, dear ! ” wailed Grace. I’m afraid 
I’m to blame, dear Mrs. King; but I said I’d 
draw him some bears — I wanted to help; and 
now I’ve only made you trouble.” 

Oh, no, Grace dear ! ” said Polly gently, you 
haven’t made any trouble. It was very nice and 
kind of you to offer to do that.” 

She had such a sorrowful look in her face 
as she sat down, that the boys crept near, and 
hung their heads. 

I — I — didn’t mean to,” said King, trying 
not to whimper, sister Polly, I really didn’t.” 
And he was quite near now; but Polly didn’t 
look at him nor stir. 


TRYING TO BE CHEERY. 


287 


Please don’t look like that, mamma,” begged 
Elyot, feeling cold creeps down his back, I 
never’ll do so again.” 

^^hTever’ll do so again,” hummed Barby, play¬ 
ing with her mother’s rings. 

To think that when Mamsie is away, and 
she trusts us all,” said Polly, when she could 
find her voice, ‘^that we should do such dread¬ 
ful things.” 

The boys wriggled and twisted, and hid their 
faces. 

^^And then, when Phronsie has had to go off 
with Grandpapa — oh, it quite breaks me down,” 
said Polly, and there was a tremble in her voice. 

At this, both boys precipitated themselves into 
her lap, where they burrowed in speechless mis¬ 
ery, Barby yielding herself to it all with a happy 
little crow as if part of the play. 

^^No, no, Barby,” said Polly gently, and shak¬ 
ing her head at her; mamma is not playing 
now. We have been very naughty. Go and get 
your little chairs, boys, and sit down quietly.” 

So the two boys went out and dragged in 
their two little cane-seat chairs, and planted them¬ 
selves down in them, Barby being put on a cor- 


288 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


ner of the lounge. And Polly took Grace out 
into another room and heard all about it. 

Sister Polly! ’’ called King presently, oh, do 
come here! ” There was such a cry in his voice 
that Polly hurried in, and found him sobbing as 
if his heart would break. “ I can’t sit here any 
longer — don’t make me,” and he hid his face on 
her neck. think of everything bad I ever 

did. 0 sister Polly ! Pm so sorry.” 

^^Then that is as long as I want you to sit 
here,” said Polly, helping him out. 

u I’ve got to sit longer,” said Elyot gloomily, 
because I’m not sorry,” as King rushed to kiss 
him. ^^I wanted to hear about the bears too.” 

^‘And I want bears too,” declared Barby from 
her sofa; “ bad, naughty King.” 

^^You shall have the bears,” cried King radi¬ 
antly, running up to her ; yes, you shall, Barby ; 
the very first picture Miss Grace draws you shall 
have it — and Elyot shall have the next,” he 
said, after a minute’s hard thinking. 

Polly sent him a happy little smile that 
warmed every corner of his small heart. 

Mayn’t Elyot get out now, sister Polly ? ” 
he asked pleadingly. 


TRYING TO BE CHEERY. 


289 


not sorry/’ said Elyot stoutly. ^‘Noj 
I’ve got to stay.” 

You may go out, King, and you too, Barby,” 
said Polly slowly, and shut the door.” 

^^Ko; I’m going to stay,” said Barby perversely. 

Barbara.” 

Barby slipped to the ground and edged out, and 
King closed the door, feeling that it wasn’t so 
easy to undo being naughty after all. 

In a minute the door was opened slowly, and 
King’s head appeared. Sister Polly,” he said, 
‘^it truly wasn’t Elyot’s fault, because if I’d let 
them in, he would have been good.” 

‘‘ Go out, dear,” said Polly gently, “ and close 
the door.” 

When the door was opened again, Elyot walked 
into the little room where they were all wait¬ 
ing for him. No one had done anything, and 
Grace’s hands were idle in her lap. Elyot 
walked up to her. ^‘I’m sorry I made you feel 
badly. Miss Grace,” he said; and then he ran 
and threw his arms around King. “1 don’t want 
the bears; I’d rather you had them,” he cried. 

Barby hurried over to Grace. “ I’m sorry too,” 
she said; and I’ll take the bears if nobody wants 


290 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


’em.” So a space being cleared in the middle of 
the room, Polly had her little sewing-table brought 
in ; and presently there was a delightful hum, and 
everybody talking and laughing at once. And it 



" Barby hurried over to Grace. ‘I’m sorry too,' she said; 'and I'll take 
the bears.'” 


was found that Grace Tupper could draw every¬ 
thing in the most delightful fashion. And bears 
pursuing men and women and children in the 
most impossible places, were executed, and all 





TRYING TO BE CHEERY. 


291 


sorts of hair-breadth escapes were indulged. And 
then the children wanted to color the pictures 
with their crayons, and then to cut them out; 
until the first thing they knew, the “little pub¬ 
lishing bag^’ was swung over their heads. 

“ O papa! ’’ screamed the two, and “ 0 brother 
Jasper!’’ howled King, “is it so late?” And 
then they all swarmed around him to show their 
work; and Grace Tapper’s face flushed rosier 
yet at the praise, for Polly had come in, and was 
hanging on her husband’s arm. 

And in the midst of the noise and bustle the 
children made, — for they seized their papa, and 
made him play “ bear-garden ” in earnest, — Grace 
made bold to proffer her request to Polly that 
she might try to hear King’s lessons. 

“Pm afraid I don’t know enough,” she said 
humbly ; “ but oh ! won’t you let me try, dear Mrs. 
King ? ” 

And Polly, looking into the blue eyes, said, 
“ Yes; ” and Grace ran off on happy feet, resolved 
to do her very best, and to put in practice all that 
she had ever learned at school. How she wished 
now that there were no idle hours to think of! 
“ But Mrs. King would say that it was of no use 


292 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


to spend time to think of that now/’ she said to 
herself, ^^but to take hold of the books at once.” 

“ What a comfort Grace is ! ” said Polly to Jas- 
per, as they were beginning to try a new duet, and 
just as he was setting it in place on the music- 
rest, ^Gsn’t she, Jasper?” 

^^Yes indeed,” he said heartily. 

But in spite of all their efforts to be cheerful 
and gay, time dragged heavily enough. And the 
first few days after Grandpapa and Phronsie went, 
Jasper had hard work to leave Polly when he ran 
off to business in the early train. 

Pll stay home with you, dear,” he said on the 
third morning, as he saw the pale face, and the 
sorrowful look in the usually laughing eyes, and 
we will go and drive, Polly; ” cut to the heart to 
see her so. 

Oh, no, Jasper!” she said quickly, the color 
flooding her face, ^^oh, how could I be so selfish! 
I didn’t think it would worry you so, and I’ll 
make myself look cheerful. Oh ! it would just kill 
me to have you leave your work. Indeed, Jasper, 
it would.” 

^‘Then I won’t, Polly,” said Jasper reluctantly', 
‘^and don’t worry about Boslyn May. I do be' 


TRYING TO BE CHEERY. 


29B 


lieve they’ll find things better than they fear, 
when they get there.” 

But supposing they shouldn’t,” breathed Polly 
fearfully. 

^^They will, I verily believe,” said Jasper in 
ringing tones. ^^And just think, Polly, if all 
goes well, and the boat makes her usual time, 
they’ll be there on Monday.” 

Polly counted the days and hours, and even 
minutes ” Alexia said, and was surprised herself 
to see how swiftly they flew by. 

^^It’s such a comfort to think that Joey could 
go with them,” she said one day, when Alexia 
ran over and up into her pretty room to bewail 
her woes over a new gown the dressmaker had 
sent home. Alexia had worn it over to show it 
to Polly; and she now turned this way and that, 
declaring each side was just so much worse than 
the other. 

^^Did you ever see such a fright, Polly Pep¬ 
per ? ” she cried, quite overcome, and sinking into 
the first chair she could find — and to think 
it was to be my very best gown.” 

“ Take care,” warned Polly, you will spoil all 
that ruching.” 


294 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


don’t care,” said Alexia recklessly, with a 
vicious pull at a refractory bow. ^^Now, look at 
that; everything sticks up that should lie down, 
and flops where it ought to stand out. Oh, dear 
me! I just had to wear it over to show you 
before Pickering sees it, and to let off steam, be¬ 
cause I don’t want to worry him, poor boy. It’s 
quite bad enough to pay the bills. Oh, that hor¬ 
rible old Miss Flint! Polly Pepper, what shall 
I do?” 

Polly dropped the brush with which she was 
brushing out her bright brown hair, and ran over. 
‘^I’ll tell you what. Alexia,” she said cheerily, 
I think it’s these dreadful bows that are not 
put on rightly, that make half the trouble,” pick¬ 
ing out one of them; and then she has the 
shoulder-puffs too big.” 

They’re enormous ! ” exclaimed Alexia, rolling 
her eyes to compass them both. I look just 
like a toad, Polly.” 

^^Now, if those were down in the right place,” 
said Polly, taking little puckers in them, and 
then standing back to view the effect, ^‘it would 
make ever so much difference in that gown; you 
can’t think. Alexia.” 


TRYING TO BE CHEERY. 


295 


^^Well, I begin to see hope for it,” said Alexia, 
sitting up straight with her usual air; but when 
I came in, actually, Polly, I was all gone to 
pieces, I was so blue. Oh! what were you saying 
as I came in ? I remember now; it was about 
Joel.’’ 

‘‘I was saying it was such a comfort to think 
that Joey could go with Grandpapa and Phron- 
sie,” said Polly, flying over to the toilet-table to 
her hair again. 

I should think so,” cried Alexia, between 
whom and Joel there had always been a great 
friendship, though nothing could be farther from 
their thoughts than to show it to each other. 

My goodness me! Joel Pepper is just the most 
splendid man that ever lived, except Pickering 
and Jasper.” 


296 


PHKONSIE PEPPEK. 


CHAPTER XX. 

FIRE ! 

^^ll/flSS PEPPER/^ Mrs. Livingston Bayley 
iVX called sweetly but insistently as Phron- 
sie hurried by. 

I cannot stop now,” said Phronsie. 

Mrs. Bayley reserved her anger, and picked up 
her novel, until her husband sauntered up. Then 
she turned on him furiously from her steamer- 
chair. 

Livingston,” she said, forgetting to drawl, 
‘‘ it is perfectly preposterous in Phronsie Pepper 
to go on so. I don’t see what Mr. King is think¬ 
ing of to allow it.” 

‘‘ Oh, I don’t have anything to do with Phron- 
<5ie Pepper,” declared Mr. Bayley, in a very bad 
temper, and sitting down, after carefully adjust¬ 
ing the creases along his trousers legs, “ don’t 
you know; so what is the use of pitching into 
a fellow, Celestine.” 


FIRE ! 


297 


In all our conversation, I have observed you 
are always very cross if I allude to the Peppers 
in any way. It is extremely uncomfortable for 



"Now, Celestine,” said Mr. Bayley, rolling a fresh cigarette, "the Peppers 
are perfectly well able to take care of themselves.” 


me, Livingston, to have you assume such an atti¬ 
tude toward me.” 

Mr. Bayley said something way down in his 
















298 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


throat, and got out of his steamer-chair for a 
turn or two on deck. 

^^Now, Celestine,’’ he said, coming back and roll¬ 
ing a fresh cigarette as he stood over her, “I 
want you to understand, once for all, that I’m 
not going to be drawn into collision with the 
Peppers, don’t you know. They are perfectly 
well able to take care of themselves; and I 
wouldn’t advise you to try it on, either.” 

She has no mother with her, or ” — 

And you’ll be a mother to her. Celestine, 
that’s too good, don’t you know. Ha, ha, ha ! ” 

‘‘ Your mirth is always as ill-timed as your 
other attempts at ideas,” remarked his wife 
angrily. “ I repeat, Phronsie Pepper has no 
mother with her to advise her.” 

But she has old Mr. King; and he’s just the 
very — well, if you want to tackle him, go 
ahead.” 

I certainly shall speak to her,” said Mrs. 
Bayley with dignity. 

‘^And when the old man gets through with 
you, perhaps you’d like to try your hand on her 
brother, Joel Pepper. But I don’t believe you 
will, Celestine, I give you my word for it.” 


FIRE ! 


299 


He tossed that cigarette overboard, it not hav¬ 
ing been rolled to suit him, and began on another. 

To think of that girl, with her beauty and 
advantages, taking up with a miserable old dowdy 
of a woman whom nobody knows a thing about, 
and spending all her time on her.’’ 

“ When she might be with you,” cut in Mr. 
Bayley, getting into his steamer-chair again, and 
leaning his elbows on his knees to assist him 
through his arduous labor. 

When she might be with me,” repeated 
Celestine calmly; “ think what I could be to that 
girl,” she added complacently, and playing with 
her rings. 

‘‘ She isn’t awake to those immense advan¬ 
tages,” observed her husband; that is, don’t 
appear to be.” 

‘^Well, I’ll make her, then,” declared Mrs. 
Bayley, setting her teeth hard together. 

Mr. Bayley laughed softly to himself. 

Hush! here she comes,” said Mrs. Bayley 
under her breath. 0 Miss Phronsie! ” she 
smiled sweetly on her. 

Did you want to see me ? ” asked Phronsie. 

beg your pardon for not stopping.” 



300 


tHROj^SlE REPPER. 


Mr. Bayley got out of his steamer-chair, and 
pressed it upon her elaborately. ‘‘Do sit down, 
Miss Phronsie,” begged his wife cordially. 

“Thank you,” said Phronsie, “but I cannot, 
Mrs. Bayley.” 

“ You never give me any of your time,” said 
that lady, calling to her aid a reproachful look, 
an expression that had always brought down other 
victims, “and you know I have some claim upon 
you, as my husband is an old friend of your 
family.” She hadn’t meant to say this when she 
began, but for some unaccountable reason her 
supply of words seemed to give out. 

As this required no answer, Phronsie did not 
give any, but remained silent, standing by the 
steamer-chair. 

“ You have sufficient time for new friends,” 
said the lady with emphasis; “I have seen you 
with an old vroman on the deck several times 
the last two days.” 

“ She needs me,” said Phronsie quietly; “ she 
is all alone.” 

“Well, that is just it,” exclaimed Mrs. Bay- 
ley eagerly, welcoming her chance; and throwing 
back her head, she said rapidly, “do you know 


FIRE ! 


301 


I don’t think it is wise to take up with that old 
thing. Nobody knows who she is, and it’s an 
awful bore for you — wastes your time and all 
that. Now, let me give you a piece of advice. 
Miss Phronsie.” 

Thank you,” said Phronsie; ^‘but my Grand¬ 
papa is here, you know, and my brother,” she 
did not finish, to whom I can apply for advice.” 

Mrs. Bayley colored angrily. But they are 
men, and they don’t think. Now, there are some 
very desirable people on board here, and Mr. 
Bayley and I could put you in the way of mak¬ 
ing some of the best of friends — the very best.” 

Mr. Bayley made a sudden movement, and said 
something to his wife of which don’t you know ” 
was all that came to the surface. 

^^And at any rate,” hurried on Mrs. Bayley, as 
she saw Phronsie’s face, ‘^you might amuse me. 
I am awfully desoUe, Miss Pepper, and don’t 
know what to do with myself.” 

Phronsie instinctively glanced at Mr. Bayley. 

Oh, he is no good ! ” exclaimed his wife petu¬ 
lantly; ^^all he thinks of is his cigarettes, and how 
soon he will be ashore to get to the horse-races.” 

Thank you,” said Livingston Bayley with a 


302 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


bow, much obliged, I’m sure. Miss Pepper, 
don’t look shocked; it’s all right, don’t you know, 
I’m quite used to it, only I didn’t think she’d ring 
up the curtain for your benefit.” And as Phronsie 
made her excuses and went back, he said, “Well, 
that’s number one, Celestine. Wonder if you’ll 
try it again, don’t you know ; ” and strolled off. 

Phronsie was back, tucking up the steamer-rug 
over the thin little figure in the chair marked 
“Miss Pepper.” “Now,” she said gayly, “you 
are all comfortable, you are sure, Mrs. Benson ? ” 

“ Indeed, deary, I couldn’t be more so,” said the 
little old lady gratefully. “ And now, don’t you 
stay with me any more, but just go and enjoy 
yourself. I saw you talking with some of your 
fine friends just now, and you’ve left them to 
come to me. And it worries me. Miss Pepper.” 

“I do not want to go back,” said Phronsie; 
“and they are no special friends of ours.” 

Joel came up just then, and brought a steamer- 
chair for Phronsie, and put her in it. He smiled 
at her and at old Mrs. Benson, but Phronsie 
looked up in his face quickly. “ Joel,” she ex¬ 
claimed as he bent over her, “ what is it ? Is 
Grandpapa all right ? ” 


FIRE ! 


303 


Yes indeed ; right and sound as a nut,” he 
said quickly. He’s deep in his book, and won’t 
stir for an hour you may depend.” 

Phronsie leaned back in her chair only half- 
satisfied, as Joel gave her another smile and 
hurried off. 

He didn’t appear at dinner; and Grandpapa, 
who always ate his three meals a day on ship¬ 
board, and knew that Joel did the same, thought 
it odd. Ah, Joel’s knocked over,” he said with 
a laugh, now we’ll take him down, Phronsie, for 
being a poor sailor.” 

Phronsie glanced across at his vacant place with 
a sigh; but she smiled cheerily to the old gentle¬ 
man, and the meal went on, old Mr. King being 
in the best of spirits, and the life of the captain’s 
table. 

At nightfall, as little Mrs. Benson slipped off 
to her stateroom, Phronsie parted with her at 
the door. Kow I know, deary, the Lord means 
me to see my old home once more. Seems as if I 
could smell the green grass ; ” she grasped the 
young girl’s hands eagerly, and there was a world 
of longing in her quiet eyes. “ 0 Miss Pepper ! 
there’s no grass like the green grass of old Eng- 


304 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


land, and there’s no sun like the sun that shines 
over old England. I’ve been hungry for it, dear,” 
her voice sank to a happy whisper; but now I’m 
almost there.” 

‘‘ Yes,” said Phronsie, happy in the other’s hap¬ 
piness, and feeling a little of her own dreadful 
load of suspense lifted; “ we shall be in port day 
after to-morrow if all goes well.” 

Only one more day after to-morrow,” said the 
little old lady with a sudden cry of joy, and I 
shall see my two boys. Praise the Lord ! Well, 
will you kiss me good-night, deary, and forgive an 
old woman for keeping you standing so long ? ” 

Phronsie bent over, and laid her fresh young 
lips on the withered cheek. 

Good-night, deary; and the Lord give you all 
you want.” 

Phronsie went back to stay with Grandpapa on 
deck. It was a beautiful night, and he wanted 
nothing so much as to pace up and down proudly 
with her on his arm. It passes my mind where 
Joel is,” he said after a little pause. ^^He’s not 
in his stateroom; I went there after dinner. Sly 
dog! I suppose he’s working off his seasickness 
somewhere, and hopes to keep it from us. But 


FtRE ! 


305 


we’ll take the wind out of Master Joel’s sails —eh, 
Phronsie ; ” and he chuckled at the delight in pros¬ 
pect over laughing at Joel’s boast that he’d never 
been seasick in his life, <‘and nothing can make 
me seasick, sir! ” 



"Bless the Lord, Phronsie," he lifted his sea-cap reverently, "we’re 
almost there." 


« And now, child, I can’t say how thankful I am 
we’re nearly across. It’s been the longest voyage; 
can’t help but be, when one is anxious to have it 
over. But bless the Lord, Phronsie,” he lifted 
his sea-cap reverently and looked out into the 











306 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


beautiful night, we’re almost there. And, my 
child,” here he pressed Phronsie’s arm tenderly, 
“I can’t tell you how I feel, to see you bearing 
with the old man all these days, after what I’ve 
caused you. Oh, I can’t, Phronsie! ” His voice 
broke, and Phronsie could feel the thrill that went 
all over him. 

Grandpapa,” she begged, and made him look 
into her face. “ Why, how can you,” she cried 
brightly, when we’re almost there ? And you’ve 
borne up so well. Grandpapa dear.” 

To be sure — to be sure ! ” exclaimed the old 
gentleman, pulling up his stately figure to its 
greatest height; well, where do you suppose 
that rascal Joel is?” 

It was a good two hours after when Grand¬ 
papa said, Good-night, dear,” and kissed her. 
Phronsie threw on her steamer-cloak, and sat 
down in her stateroom to wait for — she knew 
not what. But she must see Joel some way. 

I cannot ring for the steward, for Grandpapa 
will then hear me in the next room. 0 Joey, 
Joey ! But I know he’s not sick,” went on 
Phronsie to herself — “by the way, he looked as 
if he didn’t want me to question him.” 


FIRE ! 


307 


Suddenly there came a little knock, and in an 
instant Joel was in the stateroom. Phronsie 
started to her feet, and took his hands. 

O Joey ! ” she cried, trying not to scream ; for 
his face was black with grime, and drawn and 
haggard. There, there, don’t try to tell me 
what has happened,” as he laid his head on her 
arm. 

Oh! I’ve tried my best — we all have,” said 
Joel with a convulsive effort, and raising his 
head, his face working dreadfully; “ but it’s 
gained on us — the ship’s on fire, Phronsie ! 
Hush ! we can keep it from Grandpapa a little 
longer, maybe till morning. 0 Phronsie ! ” He 
held her so closely that she could scarcely breathe. 

It broke out in the cotton waste this morning 
—must have been smouldering some time.” 

You have been helping ? ” asked Phronsie, 
as he paused unable to utter another word. 

Yes; took a hand at the pumps,” said Joel, 
thinking it unnecessary to relate that he had 
been at them ever since. 

Oh, my poor boy! ” cried Phronsie, taking 
his face in her hands. Joel, Mamsie would 
be glad.” 


308 


PHIIONSIE PEPPER. 


Phronsie, I’m going back. It can be kept 
under, I think, from the worst, till morning. 
The people must not know, for all of us would 
be lost then in the row they’d make.” He was 
whispering hoarsely, and Phronsie laid her hand 
over his mouth, Hush, dear, I know,” she 
said. 

There are life-preservers in your rooms,” Joel 
glanced quickly at hers, ^^and you know how 
to get them on if anything suddenly should 
happen ?” 

‘^Yes, Joey dear.” 

But I shall be back to you — never fear 
about that.” 

^‘Yes, Joey.” 



ARE THEY ALL SAFE ? 


309 


CHAPTEE XXI. 


ARE THEY ALL SAFE? 



(HEOXSIE thought a moment, and then said 


^ to herself, “ Yes, I think I better bring her 
here, and then we will all be together.’’ So slip¬ 
ping out of her stateroom, she went hurriedly, 
making her way with difficulty, as the distance 
was a good one, and the ship rolled badly, to 
old Mrs. Benson’s door. Mrs. Benson,” she said, 
gently rapping, ‘^it is I, Phronsie Pepper.” 

^^Yes, deary.” The little old lady was not 
asleep, but lay in a happy doze, in which she was 
living over again all the beautiful days in her 
little English cottage with her lads about her. 

Yes, deary ; I’ll be there in a minute.” 

^‘Please hurry, Mrs. Benson,” begged Phronsie. 

And so I will,” said old Mrs. Benson; and 
presently she opened the door, and appeared be¬ 
fore Phronsie in a short gown and petticoat, her 
white hair tucked under a frilled nightcap. 



310 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Anything happened, deary ? she asked anx¬ 
iously, looking up into Phronsie’s face. 

Phronsie drew her in softly to the middle of 
the stateroom, and closed the door. ‘^Dear Mrs. 
Benson,’’ she said, taking her hands, — I want 
you to go with me to my stateroom, so that we 
can all be near each other.” 

And so I will, deary, if you want me to,” 
said the old woman obediently; but what is 
the matter ? Has anything happened ? ” 

Yes,” said Phronsie; but don’t make a 
noise, for the men are working hard to save us 
all, and the people are not to know yet, for they 
would be so frightened we should all be lost.” 
She held her mouth close to the cap-frills. The 
ship is on fire ! ” 

Old Mrs. Benson broke away from her with 
a deep groan, and fell on her knees by the berth. 
“ Oh, my pretty lads, my pretty lads ! ” 

^^Mrs. Benson,” said Phronsie, laying a hand 
on the thin shoulders, there isn’t a moment 
to lose, for I cannot be away from Grandpapa. 
I must go back at once, and you must go with 
me; come.” 

^^The Lord forgive me for keeping you,” said 


ARE THEY ALL SAFE? 


311 


the old lady, staggering to her feet; now, deary, 
I’m ready.” 

You better put your dress on,” said Phronsie. 

No, deary; I’ll not wait for anything, or 
keep you a minute longer. I’ll go as I am.” 
She glanced back around the room, as if bidding 
everything good-by; then picked up a little pic¬ 
ture on the table, and tucked it into her bosom. 

^^We must take this,” said Phronsie, pulling 
out the life-preserver quickly. 

“ Yes,” said the little old woman with a shiver. 

^^And you better lock your door,” said Phron¬ 
sie, and take the key, Mrs. Benson.” 

^^All right, deary,” said the old woman with 
another good-by glance. They were on their way 
to Phronsie’s stateroom, when suddenly the cry 
arose, ‘‘ Fire ! Fire ! ” and a heavy body staggered 
by them, pushing them to right and to left, as 
he lunged against each stateroom door with a 
thud, screaming, Fire ! Fire ! ” 

Oh, hurry, hurry, Mrs. Benson ! ” exclaimed 
Phronsie, helping her along. The little old lady 
sank helplessly to the floor. 

Oh, I can’t, deary ! ” she moaned ; “ it’s struck 
me here,” laying her hand on her heart. 


312 


PHllONSll': PEPPER. 


Then I must carry you/’ said Phronsie des¬ 
perately. 

By this time the passage was filling with 
smoke, and a hoarse babel of sounds, like a dis¬ 
tant roar, broke upon their ears. 

A man, one of the crew, ran by so roughly 
that he brushed Phronsie’s cheek with his arm. 



"The sailor roared out, 'The ship's on fire!’ and was plunging on." 

Oh, please carry this poor woman to my state¬ 
room ! ” she cried to him. 

Leave me, leave me, deary,” the little old 
lady was saying. “ Good-by, deary ; oh, leave 
the old woman and save yourself! ” 


ARE THEY ALL SAFE? 


313 


The sailor roared out, The ship’s on fire ! ” 
and was plunging on. 

I know it,” said Phronsie; oh, carry her 
for me, please! ” The hood of her cloak fell 
back, and she clasped her hands entreatingly. 

“ I didn’t know ’twas you,” exclaimed the 
sailor, looking at her for the first time; you’re 
the one that writ me the letter to my folks.” 
^^Yes,” said Phronsie. 

He seized old Mrs. Benson, and swung her to 
his shoulder, Come,” he cried to Phronsie, 
they’re to lower the boats; I’ll save ye both.” 

I must go to Grandpapa,” cried Phronsie, 
save her; ” and dashed off by herself. 

No use,” roared the sailor roughly, you’ll 
all be lost together. Come this way; ” but he 
followed her with an oath, with the little old 
lady. 

Stateroom doors were being flung open, and 
heads thrust out. Now and then a woman 
screamed, and men were shouting and cursing. 
And above it all that dreadful roar and the 
blinding smoke ! 

Grandpapa ! 0 Grandpapa! ” cried Phronsie, 
reaching the door and kneeling at it, 0 Grand- 



314 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


papa, please hurry, and open the door to Phron- 
sie ! ’’ 

Leave away,” cried the sailor, dropping the 
little old lady, and pushing Phronsie aside. Then 
he backed off, and dashed at the door with his 
fist. 

Oh, what is that ? ” called old Mr. King, sit¬ 
ting straight in his berth. 

Let me in. Grandpapa dear ! ’’ begged Phron¬ 
sie. 

Er — oh — why, Phronsie, child ! ” Old Mr. 
King threw wide the door, and drew her to her 
feet with a hasty hand. 

Gr 3 ,ndpapa,” cried Phronsie, “ there is not 
an instant to lose — the ship is on fire. Grand¬ 
papa. Quick! get his life-preserver,” to the 
sailor. 

Old Mr. King put up a hasty hand, Kot till 
you have on yours, Phronsie.” 

^^Ko nonsense! ” roared the sailor at him, drag¬ 
ging out the life-preserver to fling it over the 
handsome white head. 

^^I’ll get mine in a minute,” cried Phronsie, 
fastening old Mrs. Benson’s to her trembling 
figure. 


ARE THEY ALL SAFE? 


315 


The rushing of feet, the babel of hoarse cries, 
the awful roar, and the stifling smoke made it 
well-nigh impossible for them to see and to hear 
each other. Phronsie knew that the sailor was 
securing a life-preserver around her; and then, 
above all the awful confusion, she heard a 
voice. 

“ Joel! ’’ she cried. 

I’ll take her,” cried Joel, and the other 
one. Do you look out, Jim, for the old gentle¬ 
man. To the boats, my man, to the boats ! ” 

He gathered Phronsie up, and old Mrs. Ben¬ 
son too, the sailor picking up Mr. King; and 
never any of them could tell how, but presently 
they were in the wild confusion of the hurrying 
throngs, and crowded in together at the side of 
the ship, where they were lowering the boats. 

And here Joel leaped away. 

“ Stay where you are,” he commanded them ; 
drawing his revolver as he sprang to the cap¬ 
tain’s side, who single-handed was trying to keep 
the half-crazed crew from leaping into the boat. 

‘‘ I’ll shoot the first man of you who drops 
into that boat,” yelled Joel at the crew. In their 
wild fury to get first at the boats as they were 


316 


PHROlSrSIE PEPPEH. 


lowered, they were knocking the passengers to 
right and left in their craze. When they saw 
him, and knew it was the same man who had 
worked at their side for nine long hours, they 
sullenly gave up and backed away. 



" ‘I must go to Grandpapa,' cried Phronsie, ‘save her;’ and dashed off 
by herself." 


I think I’ll go in this boat, don’t you know,” 
said a voice close to them. 

0 Livingston! don’t go and leave me.” There 
was no drawl now in the shrill, thin voice. O 
Miss Pepper, save me! save me ! ” clutching 
her. 


ARE THEY ALL SAFE ? 


317 


Take your hands off,” roared Joel at her, 
pulling Phronsie away from her grasp. No, 
Bay ley, the women and children and 'old people 
must go first.” 

Oh, mercy ! ” shrieked Mrs. Bay ley, wild with 
terror; oh, save me somebody ! I’ll give any 
one a thousand dollars to save me,” she screamed. 
She had her jewels in a small bag, which she 
huddled up to her bosom. But no one heard 
her, as all rushed on, trampling down the weaker 
ones, to get at the boats. 

Is Grandpapa in ? ” cried Phronsie, as Joel 
lifted her high, and handed her over to Jim’s long 
arms ahead. 

“Yes, dear.” 

“ And Mrs. Benson ? ” 

“ Yes, Phronsie.” 

“0 Joel —you ! she cried as she was swung 
off, and felt herself drop, drop, to be caught by 
other strong arms. She lifted her eyes, her yel¬ 
low hair streaming away from her face as she 
called him; and he turned his begrimed and hag¬ 
gard one at her an instant as he smiled, and con¬ 
tinued to help the women down. 

“ This boat is full — not another soul comes 


318 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


on,” cried the sailors shoving off, as a woman, 
more dead than alive, was dropped in. 

Phronsie looked up at Joel; he waved his hand 
at her, and she turned and threw her arms around 
Grandpapa’s neck. 

The ship’s surgeon bent over the handsome 
white-haired old gentleman with the young girl 
clinging to his neck. They had brought them on 
together in that way when picked up, drifting 
aimlessly in an open boat, the exhausted sailors 
drooping over their oars. He listened carefully 
for their breathing while he applied all the resto¬ 
ratives, but they seemed to have passed on over 
the tide together. 

Oh, my deary; let me try ! ” It was the little 
old woman whom they brought up next, sodden 
with the salt spray, and laid down beside them. 
She raised herself by a violent effort, and threw 
her wet hands over Phronsie’s white face. ^^Oh, 
my lamb — quick, doctor, now ! See, her eyes are 
moving — oh, my pretty deary ! ” 

Grandpapa,” said Phronsie feebly. 

Yes, my lamb,” cried old Mrs. Benson in the 
energy of hope; see, she is coming to! ” 


ARE THEY ALL SAFE ? 


319 


But Dr. Kansom knew he had a far more diffi¬ 
cult case before him to work back the receding 
life into, the old body; and he left her to the 
woman’s care while he applied the restoratives 
to Mr. King. 

Lend a hand here, will you ? ” cried Mrs. Ben¬ 
son to a woman who had not ceased to bemoan the 
loss of her possessions since she had been put, the 
last passenger, in the boat before they swept off; 

do you rub her feet, while I chafe her hands — 
oh, my lamb ! ” 

I cannot do anything,” exclaimed the woman 
petulantly, and turning away her head, as she 
huddled up against the cabin sofa; my heart is 
broken. I’ve lost all — all — and at the last some 
villain twitched away my bag of jewels. Oh! what 
shall I do ? ” 

Do you talk of jewels,” cried old Mrs. Benson 
at her, her eyes blazing underneath her white hair, 
at such a time as this — oh, my lamb ! ” chafing 
busily the cold hands. 

And I really cannot help you,” whined the 
other, ^^for I am nearly dead myself.” 

Grandpapa! ” Phronsie opened her eyes, and 
put her hand weakly up. 


320 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


“ Yes, yes, deary,” said the old woman comfort¬ 
ingly. Has he come to ? ” her lips framing the 
words over to the surgeon. 

Oh, my Lord! Yes, yes, deary. There, there, 
my lamb.” 

‘‘ Where is Grandpapa ? ” asked Phronsie 
faintly. 

He’s right here, my pretty lamb,” said the 
old woman, her hot tears raining down on Phron- 
sie’s cold face. 

Phronsie gave a sigh of relief. “ Joel,” she 
tried to say, but the sounds died away in her 
throat. 

Oh, dear me! I wish somebody would take 
care of me,” complained the person on the sofa. 
“ My dear Avoman, now that Miss Pepper is all 
right, will you give me a little attention ? I am 
wringing wet, and as cold as ice.” 

Old Mrs. Benson never turned her head. One 
of the sailors looked in. “ Bring me some hot 
water,” she said. 

Oh, my good sir ! ” exclaimed the other Avonian, 
springing up to a sitting posture, will you come 
here ? I want you this instant,” 


ARE THEY ALL SAFE? 


B21 


Bring the hot water ! ” commanded Mrs. Ben¬ 
son— and he disappeared. 

I do- not suppose you know who I am, you 
ignorant, low-down woman,” cried the other pas¬ 
sionately. I am Mrs. Livingston Bayley of 
New York, now of Bayley Manor, England. Now 
will you cease your insults to me ? ” 

Any change ? ” 

The surgeon’s lips framed the word ^^no,” as he 
turned his face an instant; in a second he darted 
back like lightning, and seized a spoonful of re¬ 
storative which he held to the whit^ lips. A 
long-drawn sigh, faint but distinct, was heard. 
Old Mrs. Benson hid her face on Phronsie’s arm 
and cried like a child — this time for joy. 


322 


PHKONSIE PEPPER. 


CHAPTEK XXII. 

THE SHADOW TURNS TO SUNSHINE. 

P OLLY stood by her window looking out with 
a happy face. 

Barby glanced up from her play on the floor 
and saw her so, and immediately dropped every¬ 
thing and scrambled off, climbing a chair by 
Polly’s side. 

‘‘Mummy,” cried Barby, wriggling along till 
she stood on the broad window-ledge under 
Polly’s arm. 

“ Oh, you dear! ” exclaimed Polly, clasping her 
closely, and turning a happy face. “ Barby, do 
you know that dear Grandpapa and Aunt Phron- 
sie and Uncle Joel are probably safe on the other 
side now. Do you know it, Barbara ? ” 

“You called her Barbara,” said Elyot from 
the floor, and relinquishing the charms of a castle 
ready to receive its final tower, to look over at 
them. 


THE SHADOW TURNS TO SUNSHINE. 323 


I know said Polly happily. When 

everything is so beautiful, Elyot, I must call my 
little girl by her own true name — her papa’s 
dear mamma’s name. 0 Barbara, Barbara ! ” ex¬ 
claimed Polly with a final kiss. 

^^And when she’s bad, you call her Barbara,” 
said Elyot thoughtfully. 

^^And that is to make my little girl grow up 
good and beautiful like her dear grandmamma,” 
said Polly. “ Children, you don’t know how 
beautiful your papa’s mamma was; everybody 
who ever saw her says so.” 

She’s down-stairs in the drawing-room,” said 
Elyot, as if stating a wholly new fact for the 
first time; “ and when I go in, I run up and kiss 
her dress, and say, ^ How do you do, grand¬ 
mamma,’ and she smiles at me.” 

And I say, ^ Boo, grandmamma! ’ ” laughed 
Barby confidentially. 

^^Well, if the picture is so beautiful,” said 
Polly, you must remember that dear grand¬ 
mamma was ever so much more beautiful her¬ 
self. And she was good and lovely all through, 
dears.” 

Here comes a man to our house,” cried 


324 


PHKONSIE PEPPER. 


Barby, leaning over Polly’s arms to look out of 
the window. 



‘‘Ws Mr. Perguson,” said Polly, glancing over 
Barby’s shoulder. I suppose he has come out 







































THE SHADOW TURNS TO SUNSHINE. 825 


on the early train. Oh! your papa, dear, will 
come next train, I verily believe; and then, chil¬ 
dren, perhaps he will have a cablegram from 
Grandpapa and Aunt Phronsie and Uncle Joel. 
Just think ! 

The maid stood before her saying, ^^Mr. Fer¬ 
guson is down-stairs, Mrs. King, and he wants 
to see you at once.’^ - 

So Polly put Barby down, and hurried off. 

Go back, dears,’’ as they rushed along the 
upper hall after her. 

Mr. Ferguson, their next neighbor a half-mile 
or so down the road, stood in the wide hall ner¬ 
vously twirling his hat. 

Won’t you come in ? ” asked Mrs. King. 

<< N — no, I thank you,” said Mr. Ferguson, 
edging off to the big front door. I just called 
going by from the train. I thought you ought 
to know, and there wasn’t any time to go to 
Mr. King’s office and tell him.” 

What is it ? ” asked Polly quietly. 

It’s on the bulletin-board,” said Mr. Fergu¬ 
son, twirling his hat worse than ever — they 
were putting it out when I went by for the 
train — I thought you ought to know.” 


326 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Polly felt everything swim before her eyes*, 
but she looked steadily in his face, and clasped 
her hands tightly together. 

^^It’s on the bulletin-board,’’ repeated Mr. Fer¬ 
guson, that the Llewellyn was burned at sea; 
but the passengers were picked up by one of 
the Harris line of cattle steamers,” he hurried 
on as he saw her face, ^^and carried to Liver¬ 
pool.” 

Is that all ? ” gasped Polly hoarsely. 

Mr. Ferguson looked into his hat, and then 
gasped out, H — no; but perhaps it isn’t true, 
Mrs. King. It said that the Kev. Joel Pepper 
was among the lost. That’s all.” 

Polly ran through the hall, and out the side 
door. Jasper, Jasper! ” she was saying over 
and over in her heart, though her white lips did 
not move. Would she never reach the little 
brown house! At last she was speeding up the 
narrow path and over the well-worn flat stone, 
and through the old doorway and on into the 
bedroom, where she threw herself on her knees 
by Mamsie’s big four-poster, just as she had 
thrown herself years ago. Dear God ! ” she 
cried now, her face buried in the gay, patched 


THE SHADOW TURNS TO SUNSHINE. 327 


bed-quilt, just as it had been on that afternoon 
so long ago, when in that darkened room, her 
eyes shadowed by a fear of blindness, they had 
told her of the worse shadow that hung over 



Joel, ^^make me willing to have anything — yes, 
anything happen; only make me good.” 

How long she knelt there she never knew. 
Jasper hurried through the old kitchen, and 
found her so. “0 Polly!” kneeling by her 



328 


PHKONSIE PEPPER. 


side, he cried, “ don’t, don’t, dear! We have 
each other.” 

0 Jasper ! ” Polly turned, and threw her 
arms around his neck, burying her face on his 
breast as he gathered her up closely. I was 
going out to watch for you,” she cried remorse¬ 
fully. 

I’ve only just got home, and they told me 
you were over here. I’d rather find you here, 
Polly,” he hastened to add, as he saw her face. 

And then Polly smiled, ‘^We have each other, 
and God, Jasper,” she said. 

Yes,” said Jasper; ‘^and as long as I can say 
that, Polly, I can bear everything else.” 

There was a step outside in the old kitchen; 
Jasper sprang to his feet, Polly by his side. 

It is only I, children,” said Mr. Marlowe. 

So they ran out to him, getting him into the 
easiest chair, and trying to comfort him ; for al¬ 
though he said nothing, it was easy to see how 
he was suffering. And sitting one each side, 
they took a hand and patted it softly between 
their own. 

I came as soon as I knew,” Mr. Marlowe was 
saying quietly ; ‘‘can I do anything to help? Have 


THE SHADOW TURNS TO SUNSHINE. 329 


you wired Ben and David ? It’s better for them 
to hear it first from you.” 

No,” cried Jasper, starting to his feet; I 
forgot it.” 

He thought only of me,” cried Polly. 

I’ll attend to it,” said Mr. Marlowe, getting 
up quickly; on the way to the train I cabled to 
Liverpool for full particulars.” 

^‘Oh, how good you are!” cried Jasper and 
Polly together. 

But they will cable you from Liverpool proba¬ 
bly before this is answered,” said Mr. Marlowe; 

so keep up heart, children.” 

“ They ? ” Polly dared not even think Father” 
and Phronsie,” as she clung to Jasper. Yes, 
dear Mr. Marlowe,” she said with a smile, as 
he went out. 

He came striding in presently, his keen gray 
eyes alight. ‘‘ I believe it is good,” he said, hand¬ 
ing a yellow envelope to Jasper; ^^this has just 
come.” 

Jasper tore it open, one arm around Polly, and 
together they cried, Oh, theyWe safe, Mr. Mar¬ 
lowe — all of them — Joey and all — safe ! ” 

Mr. Marlowe picked up the yellow sheet as it 


330 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


dropped from their hands. With a glance like 
lightning down the page, he gave it back, and 
rushed off. “ I’ll telegraph to the boys,” they 
heard him say, as he shot out the doorway. 

Polly seized the cablegram hungrily, and dropped 
a kiss on it. Then over and over they read the 
blissful words: — 

“Liverpool. 

We are safe. Joel and the captain and a sailor named 
Jim were the last to leave the ship. Joel was hurt, hut 
not seriously. Grandpapa was exhausted, but in a day or 
two we shall leave for Rome. Joel insists on it. He is to 
stay here a little longer, at the house of a good friend, Mr. 
Henry Benson, thirty-seven Harley Street. 

SoPHRONiA Pepper.” 

“Now, you two children are going in the next 
boat to Liverpool,” Mr. Marlowe hurried in with 
a smile — “ if you can catch it; ” and he began to 
rummage in the newspaper-folder behind the door. 
“ Let’s see ; yes, Thursday the Abyssinia sails; 
day after to-morrow — plenty of time.” 

“ But, Mr. Marlowe, I cannot be spared,” cried 
Jasper, aghast. “ And as long as everything seems 
to be so well over there, I ought not to leave 
you.” 

“I’m going to have my say now, Jasper,” de* 


THE SHADOW TURNS TO SUNSHINE. 331 


dared the publisher deliberately, and drawing up 
his chair to their side. be sure, all is right, 

thank God, over there; but Polly wants to see 
Joel for herself, and you need it, too, after all this 
anxiety; and then you are to go on to Pome, and 
look after them all there.” 

0 Mr. Marlowe! ” Polly and Jasper turned, 
and gazed into each other’s faces. This was too 
good to be true. 

You are sacrificing yourself,” said Jasper bro¬ 
kenly. Stop — don’t say a word, sir, I know 
just what is to be done ; and my work must come 
on you. No, no, it isn’t right; I cannot go and 
leave you; Polly wouldn’t wish it under such con¬ 
ditions.” 

No,” said Polly, throwing her arm around him; 
indeed, I do not wish it, dear Mr. Marlowe. I 
wouldn’t go for anything.” 

Listen, now, Polly,” Mr. Marlowe turned his 
face with a smile toward her; you are both 
like my children, aren’t you ? ” looking at Jas¬ 
per now. 

Yes, yes, we are,” they both cried. 

‘^Well, then, I’m going to be obeyed,” he said, 
getting a hand of each, and keeping them close. 


382 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Now, hear me. You are wife and child and 
everything to me, and it is my happiness to look 
out for you. Don’t go against my plan, chil¬ 
dren. Remember, I’m all alone in the world, 
and don’t thwart me in this.” He set his lips 
firmly together, while his keen gray eyes held 
them. 

But, sir ” — began Jasper. 

No, no, Jasper, it won’t do. I’ve planned 
it all coming out on the train. I can get Jacobs; 
he’s out of a job now. He can take some of 
the detail work you look after, so that I shall 
not carry that. And I should only worry if 
you stayed at home. You must go.” Mr. Mar¬ 
lowe took away his good right hand a moment 
from Polly’s, to bring it down quickly on his 
knee. 

Can you get Jacobs ? ” asked Jasper joy¬ 
fully. 

Yes; heard so to-day. I was going to ask 
you if we better not secure him anyway. So 
you see the way is open for you to be off.” 

^‘But there is plenty more that Jacobs cannot 
do, Mr. Marlowe,” began Jasper anxiously. 

Never mind; I shall plan it so that you’re 



•‘‘Of 


course, 


* cried. Polly, with kindling eyes, ‘splendid old 
would do just that very thing, Davie,*" 







































































THE SHADOW TURNS TO SUNSHINE. 335 


not to worry. You must go, Jasper;’’ and look¬ 
ing in the resolute face with its shining eyes, 
they knew it was a settled thing that in two 
days, if all went well, they would be off. 

And on the next day David came rushing in, 
breathless with pride and excitement. “ I’m go¬ 
ing to Joel,” he panted. 

“ Why, David,” Polly cried at him, oh, you 
dear boy ! Can you ? ” 

Can I?” cried David. Nothing in all this 
world is strong enough to keep me from him. 
To think that Joel stayed till the very last. 0 
Polly ! ” 

I know it,” cried Polly with kindling eyes; 
“but of course splendid old Joel would do just 
that very thing, Davie.” She was hugging his 
hands now, and laughing and crying together. 
“ Jasper ! ” she called, hurrying into the wide hall, 
“ David has — oh, oh — Ben ! ” she screamed. 

“ Well, well,” cried Jasper running up, “ you 
here, Ben ? ” 

“ And David,” cried Polly, quite overcome, 
and laying her head on Ben’s shoulder. 

“Yes, I’m here, of course,” said David, com¬ 
ing out into the hall. 


336 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Jasper i ’’ cried Ben, his honest eyes shin¬ 
ing with pride, and reaching past Polly to give 
him a handshake such as Ben only could give, 
run your hand in my coat pocket here; there’s 
a paper, the Press-Bulletin — it’s all in there 
about Joe.” 

And I have it in mine,” cried David, whirl¬ 
ing out a big journal; here, Jasper, read mine 
first.” He shook it in Jasper’s face. 

Softly, there,” cried Jasper just as excited. 
Polly, hold one of these fellows — take Dave 
there — while I get this paper out of Ben’s pocket.” 

Polly read mine — read it,” implored Davie. 
So Polly deserted Ben, and fastened her brown 
eyes on the sheet Davie held for her, and Jas¬ 
per read his out too; and no one who hadn’t 
learned it before could hear a word of it all,— 
how the Pev. Joel Pepper had worked for nine 
long hours with the sailors to subdue the fire; 
and when it was found that the ship couldn’t 
be saved, he it was who kept by the captain’s 
side and maintained order, so that everybody 
got off. And then, at the very last, those three 
— the captain and the Pev. Joel and a sailor 
named Jim — had jumped for their lives; and 


THE SHADOW TURNS TO SUNSHINE. 337 


the cattle steamer, after picking up the boat¬ 
loads, had come to their rescue, to discover them 
floating on broken spars. And the clergyman 
was injured, but was recovering in Liverpool. 
And Mr. Horatio King and his grand-daughter 
were passengers. Oh, and it was a marvel that 
no lives were lost! And then followed glowing 
praises of Joel. 

Hear, hear! ’’ cried Ben and Davie, pounding 
for order. One or the other of you stop.’’ And 
in ran Alexia and Pickering. 

Oh ! what is it ? ” cried Alexia, rushing up to 
Polly. 

^^They are so excited they don’t know what 
they’re reading,” cried Davie. 

Oh, splendid old Joel!” breathed Polly, turn¬ 
ing with shining eyes. 

Good for Joe ! ” cried Jasper, beginning afresh 
on his column. 

Give it to me, Polly! give it to me ! ” exclaimed 
Alexia, trying to get hold of the sheet. But Polly 
only whirled away with it, reading happily on. 

Well, that is too splendid for anything,” cried 
Jasper, throAving down the newspaper at last, 
Oh, hello, you here, Pick ? ” 


338 


PHEONSIE PEPPER. 


So you’ve waked up, have you,” cried Picker¬ 
ing, pouncing on the journal, and edging off into a 
corner with it. Then I’ll have a go at it my¬ 
self.” Alexia seeing this, deserted Polly, and ran 
over to him. 

“ Just one little teenty corner of a scrap,” she 
said, laying hold of one edge. 

Get away,” said Pickering, holding fast to it. 

I can tell you so much quicker. Alexia, than you 
can read it.” 

I’m going to have one corner,” she begged. 

Oh, w^hat a mean shame! ” as Pickering turned a 
cold shoulder to her. 

^^He’s a shabby little beggar,” said Ben, flying 
around suddenly to grasp the newspaper; there, 
hold your hands. Alexia. I’ll hold 

That’s what I call taking advantage of the 
defenceless,” said Pickering, defrauded of his 
paper. Ben, you’re a nice friend, to turn 
against me like that.” 

‘^Come over here, and I’ll let you have part,” 
said Alexia sweetly ; and seating herself on 
a divan, she was soon reading as excitedly as 
Polly. 

Oh! where has she gone ? ” she cried at last. 


THE SHADOW TURNS TO SUNSHINE. 339 


jumping up, and dashing the newspaper to the 
floor. Where’s Polly gone ? ” 

^^And Jasper too,” said Ben. Goodness me!” 
as the door opened, and in came Polly and the two 
children, Elyot hanging to his father’s hand. 

I want these blessed dears to hear it — all about 
their Uncle Joel now, just as soon as we read it,” 
said Polly with shining eyes. So everybody had 
to go all over it again, the children hanging on 
every word. 


340 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE REST OF THE PEPPERS ARE OFF. 

OUGHT not to say anything/^ cried Alexia, 
-L twisting around a very damp handkerchief 
in her nervous fingers. 

said Mrs. Eargo; I don’t think you had, 

Alexia.” 

But what shall we do when this great place is 
empty of Peppers ? ” Alexia rolled her eyes up to 
the vaulted ceiling. They were in the music-room 
wa-iting for Polly, who had gone up-stairs for a list 
of people to whom notes must be written announ¬ 
cing her sudden departure. 

“ I don’t want to think of it,” said Mrs. Eargo 
helplessly; ^^but we ought not to say one word to 
let Polly see how sorry we are they must go.” 

Dear me, I haven’t said a word! ” cried Alexia 
in a very injured way. Here I’ve been just kill¬ 
ing myself to keep it all in, Mrs. Eargo. I 
should think you’d compliment me, But no onQ 


THE best of The tepfers are off. 841 


ever does. And to think that Grace is going 
too. Dear me, I shall just rattle around in my 
old pumpkin-shell too lonely for anything.” 

^^You must come over here, and cheer me 
up,” said Mrs. Fargo, who was to move from 
the farmer’s house over to “ The Ohks,” with 
Johnny, to stay till Polly and Jasper’s return 
with the children. ^^Well, I’m glad for my 
part that Grace’s mother had sense enough to 
telegraph back ^yes,’ and that she is going; she’ll 
see her cousin, Poslyn May, besides being with 
the Peppers. It will be a good thing for Grace.” 

^^King said he wasn’t going without Grace,” 
said Alexia; he’s awfully fond of her — and I 
don’t wonder. Oh, dear me ! just think of all those 
children going away just as my blessed baby had 
got so he could talk and play with them ! ” 

Why, they won’t be gone more than a month 
or six weeks probably,” said Mrs. Fargo. They 
can’t be, for it’s as much as Mr. Marlowe could 
do to get Jasper to go anyway.” 

Well, oh, dear me ! ” said Alexia, beginning 
again on her handkerchief. ^^I can’t do with¬ 
out Polly Pepper a week. We — goodness, here 
she comes! ” 


342 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Polly came hurrying in, a long list in her 
hand. 

Come into the library, please,’’ she said. 

Oh, you are both so good to do this ! ” 

Alexia sniffed softly as she followed her, mak¬ 
ing Mrs. Pargo go between; then she gave a 
final dab to her eyes, and resolutely stuffed her 
handkerchief in her pocket. Gracious me, 
Polly ! ” she said, hurrying into a chair, and bend¬ 
ing her head so that Polly should not see her 
red eyes, that’s nothing; we’ll do it all — now 
hunt us up something else to fly at when this 
is done.” 

There’s only one thing,” said Polly, that 
troubles me.” 

What is it, Polly ? ” asked Mrs. Fargo. 

And Alexia forgot all about her red eyes, and 
raced out of her chair, to run around the big 
table and peer into Polly’s brown ones. 

It’s Grandma Bascom,” said Polly. I hate 
to leave her. Mrs. Higby will look after her 
splendidly; it isn’t that; but she wants some¬ 
body to go in just as we have every day, and 
talk to her, and read to her, and cheer her up.” 

Oh, dear me! ” cried Alexia gustily, and fall- 


THE EEST OF THE PEPPERS ARE OFF. 343 


ing back. I can’t take all your old women, 
Polly Pepper — and they wouldn’t like me, either. 
They’d tell me to go out of the house.” 

“ Oh, no, they wouldn’t. Alexia! ” said Polly 
with troubled eyes. 

Yes, they would,” contradicted Alexia before 
she could stop herself; they’d want to fling 
things at me. I don’t know how to talk to hor¬ 
rible old women, Polly; you know I don’t.” 

^^And I’m not much better,” said Mrs. Fargo, 
wrinkling her forehead in perplexity. 

Polly stood quite still, her hand on the top of 
the oaken chair. 

Well, don’t look like that,” exclaimed Alexia, 
taking one glance at the troubled face, “and I’ll 
go there every day; I’ll sit on the front door¬ 
step from morning to night. I’ll do anything, 
Polly Pepper — Polly, did you hear ? ” running 
up to shake her arm. 

“You might take Baby in with you,” said 
Polly, turning a brightening face. 

“ So I could,” cried Alexia radiantly. “ I 
never thought of that. Oh! I’ll go in every 
single day. Don’t you worry about that, Polly. 
Promise, now.” 


344 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


She put her two hands on Polly’s shoulders, 
and kissed her till Polly’s cheeks were as red 
as two roses; then she spun her around till they 
both were quite out of breath. 

There, I feel better now! ” said Alexia, re¬ 
leasing her and panting; we haven’t had such 
a spin since we were girls together. And to 
think of us two old things. Oh, dear, Pve lost 
all my hairpins ! ” She put up one hand to her 
head, while she sank to the floor, and groped 
with the other under the chairs and the table. 

“ I think we sha’n’t get this list done very 
quickly,” observed Mrs. Fargo, writing away. 

“ Oh, misery me ! Well, what can I do ? ” 
wailed Alexia, sitting on the floor, her bright 
eyes searching the carpet; “ here’s one — that’s 
good, and that’s another,” pouncing on them; 
‘‘ there. I’ll let the others be, and pick ’em up 
afterward. Here goes ; ” and pinning up her hair 
as best she could, she rushed into her seat, to send 
her pen scratching wildly over Polly’s notes. 

“ Anybody would know who wrote that,” she 
said, viewing the first one with great disfavor. 

Dear me, I wish I could write like you, Mrs. 
Fargo.” 



THE REST OF THE PEPPERS ARE OFF. 345 


“ I write plainly/’ said Mrs. Fargo, well pleased 
at the compliment; and that’s all I can say, 
Alexia.” 

Dear, dear! do talk,” presently cried Alexia, 
^^or I shall begin again on the old subject. Oh, 
good ! here’s Ben,” as he came in. 

Writing Polly’s notes?” he asked, his eyes 
lighting up in a pleased way. 

Yes,” said Alexia, as usual answering first; 
and there are such a lot of them — Mrs. Coyle 
Campbell’s luncheon next week to get out of. 
I’m just finishing that, and a hundred other en¬ 
gagements, and all sorts of things. Go on and 
talk, Ben, do, about something. I’m in a bad 
temper enough, and I want to be amused, or I 
shall spoil half of these.” 

What is the matter ? ” asked Ben leisurely, 
and sitting down to laugh at her. ^AYell, I only 
wish there was anything I could do to help. 
But I’ve been wandering the house over, and 
there isn’t a thing I’m fit for.” 

How’s Charlotte Chatterton ? ” asked Alexia 
suddenly; seems to me we don’t hear much 
from her lately. I suppose you’ll all find her 
abroad.” 


346 


PHKONSIE PEPPER. 


Not receiving any answer, she looked up, her 
sharp eyes resting on Ben’s face in surprise. 

She’s well, I suppose,” he began. Alexia 
laid down her pen in astonishment, and stared 
at him. The color was in his cheeks like a 
girl’s, and he began to fumble the little en¬ 
velopes. 

^^Well, if I can’t help, I won’t at least hinder 
you,” he said at last with a short laugh, and 
getting up, he went out. 

Alexia deserted her chair, and ran around to 
Mrs. Fargo’s. 

Did you see ? 0 Mrs. Fargo! did you see ? ” 
she cried, shaking that lady’s arm. 

^‘Oh, dear me! now I’ve gone and put a ^g’ 
on Mrs. Crowninshield’s name,” exclaimed Mrs. 
Fargo in vexation. “ You shook me just then, 
my dear.” 

Never mind your ^ g’s ’,” said Alexia coolly; 

what’s a ^ g ’ in such bliss as this ? 0 Mrs. 

Fargo, did you see Ben Pepper ? ” She hung 
over her now in great excitement. 

No; I’m sure I didn’t notice him,” said 
Mrs. Fargo, trying to erase the g ” ; and making 
it worse, she gave up the note entirely. “ And 


THE REST OF THE PEPPERS ARE OFF. 347 

I wish, you’d go back to your own seat, Alexia,” 
she added decidedly. 

Oh, I must tell you this ! ” cried Alexia; “ it’s 
my duty to, if you didn’t see it for yourself, Mrs. 
Fargo; Ben Pepper, —don’t you see? Oh, how 
perfectly splendid ! ” She jumped up, and clapped 
her hands in glee. 

Alexia Dodge,” began Mrs. Fargo. But as 
well talk to the north wind. 

Don’t you see, Ben Pepper is in love with 
Charlotte — 0 Mrs. Fargo! we’ve been blind and 
stupid as owls not to see it before; but then, she’s 
been gone so long.” 

can’t call you a goose. Alexia,” observed 
Mrs. Fargo, laying down her pen in despair; for 
you never were a goose, whatever else you are. 
But this time you’ve made a mistake, my dear, 
a very great mistake.” 

We’ll see ! ” cried Alexia triumphantly; I 
shall just tell Polly to watch Ben as a cat would 
a mouse.” 

“ You better watch these notes,” cried Mrs. 
Fargo irately, ‘‘ for they won’t be done by the 
time Polly comes back; ” which had the effect of 
sending Alexia into her chair again, where her 


348 


PHPwONSIE PEPPER. 


pen fairly flew to the tune of the new thought she 
had gotten into her head. 

Ben kept out of her way so successfully, that al¬ 
though she dodged after him at all sorts of times, 
he always slipped around some angle, or out of a 
door, leaving Alexia to stare at the bare walls. 
At last, particularly as there were many little 
things she found to her great delight that she 
could do for Polly, she gave it up in despair. 
And finding David alone for a moment after din¬ 
ner, she besieged him with questions. 

Tell me, Davie, now like a good boy; isn’t 
Ben going to marry Charlotte Chatterton ? ” 
David drew a long breath 5 but he wasn’t to be 
caught this way, so he said coolly, I hope so. 
Alexia; can’t you fix matters up ? ” 

‘^Oh, you incorrigible boy!” cried Alexia; you 
know the secret, I do believe, and you won’t tell. 
I think you might tell me,” she added wheedlingly. 

Ask Ben.” 

“I know he is. No need to ask him. Now, 
David, do you know ? ” 

David assumed a very wise look; then he said. 
You can guess at such questions if you like, but 
I never do. Ask me something easier. Alexia.” 


THE REST OF THE PEPPERS ARE OFF. 349 


‘^Well, I think you are just dreadful!’’ cried 
Alexia in despair. ‘‘ Oh, dear me, and to-morrow 
night you’ll all be miles and miles away, and me 
left here without Polly ! ” 

The next morning she turned from the small 
station after the cars had borne away the little 
group bound for the steamer. ‘‘ For I can’t ever 
bid her good-by again on the boat,” she had said 
to Pickering. I tried that once in the old days 
you know, and it made me feel a great deal 
worse. Come, Mrs. Fargo,” she said, holding out 
her hand. 

Where are you going ? ” asked that lady, 
pausing with her foot on the step of the King car¬ 
riage. 

Down to that old Mrs. Bascom’s,” said Alexia, 
trying to look pleasant, and hoping no one would 
look at her, for she was dreadfully afraid she 
should cry. I must begin at once, or I never 
shall get there.” 

You go to-day, and I will try it to-morrow,” 
said Mrs. Fargo. ^ 

So Alexia jumped desperately into her little 
dog-cart, and drove furiously down to the cottage 


350 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


just around Primrose Lane, feeling with each revo¬ 
lution of the wheels how those other wheels were 
bearing Polly on and on, away from her. 

Come in,’^ said Grandma Bascom, to the rap 



“‘She’s gone; and I don’t never 'xpect to live to see her again, nor 
him, nor those pretty creeters,' went on Grandma." 

which she gave with her whip-handle on the little 
old door. 

How do you do to-day ? ” asked Alexia. Then 
she saw that the old lady had been crying. 

^^Pm so sorry for you,” she cried, laying her 


THE KEST OF THE PEPPERS ARE OFF. 351 


hand in its neat driving-glove on the poor 
withered one ; while, —■ She’s gone, and I don’t 
never ’xpect to live to see her again, nor him, 
nor those pretty creeters,” went on Grandma. 

Oh, yes, you will!” said Alexia, gulping down* 
something in her throat. ^A¥ell, now. Grandma, 
I’m coming in to see you every day.” 

Hey ? ” cried Grandma. 

So Alexia had to bend her tall figure so that 
she could scream it all over into Grandma’s 
ear ; and this pleased the old lady so much, to 
think she was going to have company besides 
Mrs. Higby, that Alexia in great satisfaction 
pulled up a chair to the bedside, and began to 
tell all about the getting off, and what Polly 
said, and how she came running back the last 
thing after she had bidden her good-by to say ' 
over again, ^^Now, Alexia, remember dear Grand¬ 
ma Bascom.” 

Oh, the pretty creeter! ” cried the old lady, 
quite overcome. And then Alexia rattled off 
what everybody else said, and how the children 
had each sent a kiss apiece to her, and what 
Ben and David did, and all about Jasper, till 
she was quite spent with her efforts. 


352 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Though I don’t suppose she heard more than 
one word in ten,” Alexia told Pickering in re¬ 
lating the events of the day at dinner; but 
her cap bobbed all the while, and she kept say¬ 
ing, ^Yes, deary.’ And then, when I got through, 
she wanted to know what Joel did, and every¬ 
thing that people said about him, and the whole 
thing from beginning to end.” 

You better be prepared to tell that story 
every day; for depend upon it, Alexia, she’ll 
ask you for it,” said Pickering. 





ALL TOGETHER. 


353 


CHAPTEE XXIV. 


ALL TOGETHER. 



ES. BENSOX,” said Joel, regarding her 


fixedly, ^nliey used to say of me in the 


old days, that I was perfectly dreadful when I 
was sick, to make them stand round, you know, 
and all that. Now, I know you won’t say that, 
will you ? ” he asked wheedlingly. 

I don’t know,” said the little old lady, shak¬ 
ing her head at her minister. You do get 
your own way somehow or other, sir.” 

Joel burst into a loud laugh, then he pulled 
himself up. 

<^Jim,” he said, I’m dreadfully abused by 
them all, am I not, my fine fellow ? ” to a man 
in the corner. 

Hey, sir ? ” said Jim,, coming forward. 

I say I’m most dreadfully abused,” cried 
Joel. Now, I’m going to get up out of this 
bed,” giving a smart kick to the clothes. 


354 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


And I say you mustn’t,” cried the little old 
lady in alarm, and running, both hands full of 
dishes which she cast on a table on her way. 

Hold down the clothes, Jim, that side; oh! 
what would the doctor say ? ” 

A fig for the doctor ! ” cried Joel with an¬ 
other lunge, that brought all the clothes clear 
away from both sides. ^^Now, Jim, hand me my 
toggery, and help me into it.” 

“ Oh, oh! ” cried little Mrs. Benson, finding 
the clothes twitched out of her hands, beginning 
now to wring them together. What shall we 
do ? Son Henry has gone to his store, or I’d 
call him.” 

“ And ‘ son Henry ’ couldn’t do a bit of good 
if he were here,” observed Joel calmly; and, sit¬ 
ting on the side of the bed, he issued orders for 
his raiment, to right and to left, to Jim. Ho, 
Mother Benson, I’m not going to be caught by 
all my family, after they cabled they were to 
start — why, they may be here to-morrow, and 
I tucked into bed like a sick baby. No, indeed, 
ma’am! Why, I’m as well as a fish.” 

Joel bared a brawny arm, and viewed it with 
affection, then swung it out for her to see. 



ALL TOGETHER. 


355 


And just think, it was only a week ago yes¬ 
terday, and you were picked up with a big cut 
on your head, and we all thought you dead for 
ever so long,’’ mourned Mrs. Benson. 

“Well, I wasn’t dead; and is that any reason 
for being mewed up forever, Mrs. Benson ? ” 
asked Joel. “ Nonsense! my old head is all 
ready for another crack.” 

“ Heaven forbid ! ” cried the little old lady, 
stopping the wringing, to run around the foot 
of the bed, and take Joel’s black curls in her 
hands and kiss them over and over. 

“ Such good nursing as I’ve had, Mrs. Ben¬ 
son ! ” exclaimed Joel, who liked immensely all 
this petting. “Jim, you and I will long remem¬ 
ber this, won’t we, old fellow ? ” 

“Ay, ay, sir,” said Jim heartily. 

“There ! ” said Joel, swinging himself up to his 
full height at last, and marching across the room. 

“ I’m as good as new, made over, and patched up, 
and warranted. Now, Jim, get me a barber, and ^ 
we’ll have all this mop off in double quick time.” 

He shook back the black waves over his fore- 
head. 

“ Oh, sir 1 ” cried the little old lady in the great- 


356 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


est distress, don’t touch those beautiful curls! 
I wouldn’t have one of ’em cut for anything.” 

“ They are the bane of my life,” cried Joel, 
shaking them viciously. “ You can’t think how 



I just detest this poll of mine, Mrs. Benson. 
AVhy that idiot of a doctor didn’t shave it all, 
I don’t see.” 





ALL TOGETHER. 


357 


I wouldn’t let liim, sir,” said Mrs. Benson. 

And lie said the cut on the head wasn’t what 
troubled him; you were exhausted with all you’d 
done. It’s only a wonder that you pulled through 
at all.” 

^^Konsense! ” exploded Joel. ^^Well, now, 
don’t you tell my family all this stuff when they 
come.” 

I’m going to tell your family everything and 
all there is to it,” declared little Mrs. Benson 
obstinately. “ I’m a-going to tell them, if ’twas 
the last word I’d ever speak, how that precious 
deary took care of the old woman, and got her 
where she could be saved by you and Jim. And 
they’re going to hear what yoic did, and that 
nothing would have been of any earthly use if 
it hadn’t been for you. They shall hear it, every 
blessed word, sir. And after there wasn’t so much 
as a rat left aboard, and you’d seen the captain and 
Jim off, you jumped for your life, and was struck 
by a floating spar. There, and there, and there ! ” 
she cried. 

^^Mrs. Benson, dear Mrs. Benson,” began Joel. 

^^You won’t get me to say I won’t,” cried the * 
little old lady, because I will tell them every 


358 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


single thing that you did, and what folks said, 
and the whole. There again, sir.’^ 

‘‘Jim, get the barber!^’ roared Joel at him in 
great dismay. So the barber, a thin, dapper little 
man, soon appeared with all his paraphernalia; 
and presently Joel’s black curls were sprawling 
all over the floor, little Mrs. Benson on her 
kiiees picking them up, and patting them, and 
doing them up in a clean old handkerchief to 
lay away in her lavender drawer with the rest of 
her treasures. 

And in the midst of it all, in walked Polly 
and Jasper, Ben and David, while the three chil 
dren were here, there, and everywhere. 

And on the morrow, the doctor being obliged 
to say that Joel was perfectly able to go, having 
recovered in a remarkable manner, all the party 
bade good-by to little Mrs. Benson and “ son 
Henry ” and his family, and off they hurried to 
Kome; Jim being proud as possible — for wasn’t 
he the Kev. Mr. Pepper’s body-servant, to remain 
so, and go back home with them ? 

“I like that house,” said King, looking back 
at the ironmonger’s red brick dwelling, on the 
stoop of which was drawn up the little old lady 


ALL TOGETHER. 


359 


and her son the ironmonger and all his family, 
a great deal better than I do the hotel. I wish 
I could have stayed over night there ; it’s got lots 
of things in the big front room I didn’t have a 
chance to see.” 

And oh, they’re so good ! ” cried Polly, look¬ 
ing back from the carriage with tears in her 
eyes. I can never forget, Joey dear, how good 
they’ve been to you.” 

If it had not been for going there, I couldn’t 
have made Phronsie and Grandpapa go and leave 
me,” said Joel. But dear me, Polly, that good 
woman just nursed me up; you can’t think how 
good she was to me,” cried Joel affectionately. 

‘‘I love her,” broke out Barby, and patting 
Uncle Joel’s knee to attract his attention; ‘^and 
she’s my very own Mrs. Benson, she is; and when 
I go again, I shall say, ‘ How do you do, my very 
own ^Irs. Benson, and pretty well I thank you 
mostly.’ ” 

So in great glee they kept each other’s spirits 
up along the way. But as they neared Koine, 
Polly’s heart sank, and even Joel fidgeted about; 
and Jasper and the Pepper boys ” had all they 
could do to keep things bright and cheery. Only 


360 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


now and then had it been possible to hear from 
Phronsie and the others, and then but scraps of 
information: that Roslyn May was mending, al¬ 
though the fever was not broken up; that Grand¬ 
papa was keeping bravely all his anxiety and 
distress to himself; and Mamsie wrote how beauti¬ 
ful Phronsie was, till Joel had all he could do to 
keep from crying outright. He thought he loved 
Phronsie as much as he could before — they all 
did ; but since that night when they both faced 
death, and, worse than anything that threatened 
themselves, knew that it hung over dear Grand¬ 
papa, Joel’s whole soul was bound up in Phronsie, 
and it seemed to him as if he could never wait to 
see her again. Over and over he beguiled the way 
with the story of what Phronsie had said and 
done on the ship all through that dreadful night, 
till Polly and the boys and the children, hanging 
on his words, knew it all by heart. And so on to 
Pome. At last they were there. 

Little Dr. Fisher, who had received their tele¬ 
gram, met them. He looked worn and tired; but 
he mastered a cheery smile for King and for Polly 
and her babies, and he wrung Joel’s hand as only 
he could wring it; and he said, The fever hasn’t 



ALL TOGETHER. 


361 


left him, but he’s holding his own; ” and that was 
all they could get out of him. And then they all 
hurried off to the hotel where Roslyn May lay 
fighting for his young life, and Phronsie, Grand¬ 
papa, and Mamsie were watching over him. 

Polly,” said Doctor Fisher desperately, and 
getting a moment with her alone. I must tell 
you, I think the chances are slim unless ” — 

A little cry broke from Polly’s lips. 

Hush, Polly, my girl,” warned the little doctor 
disapprovingly, regarding her over his big spec¬ 
tacles, ^^why, that isn’t like you. It all depends 
on our keeping our heads, you know.” 

I won’t do it again. Papa Fisher,” said poor 
Polly. 

Unless we can persuade Roslyn that Phronsie 
and he are not to be separated again, I was going 
to say,” went on Father Fisher calmly. “You see, 
he has suffered off here alone by himself a long 
time — I know, because he has told me all about 
it ; and then when he came back after Mr. 
King, — I don’t blame your father,” the little 
doctor made haste to say quickly, “but it was 
pretty tough on Roslyn, — and then when he 
came back to plunge into his work again after 



362 


phuonsie pepper. 


Mr. King’s send-off, why, he hadn’t much strength 
to fall back on.” 

What can we do ? ” asked Polly eagerly. 

0 papa-doctor! tell me, what can we do ? ” 
and she clasped her hands. ‘‘ Pll do just any¬ 
thing, if you’ll only tell me.” 

The little doctor beamed on her. Bless you, 

Polly,” he said, depend on you to do it all.” 

All ? ” cried Polly, aghast. 

‘‘Yes,” Dr. Fisher nodded briskly. “You see, 
— I must be quick, for that scamp of a Joe is 
listening with all his ears, — you see, Polly, 
Eoslyn May has got it into his head that as 
soon as he is well, the old gentleman will spirit 
Phronsie away again.” 

“ He shouldn’t,” began Polly indignantly, 
“ when Grandpapa has brought her clear over 
here just to show that he has given up all 
opposition.” 

“ Tut, tut, child ! ” said the little doctor ; “ you 
can’t reason with a sick man. All I say is, that 
Eoslyn May has got it into his head that 
Phronsie is to melt away in some sort of fash¬ 
ion as soon as he gets well; and I can’t do 
much for him — I really can’t, Polly, as long as 


ALL TOGETHER. 


868 


that is in his mind.” He shook his head, and 
looked so very dejected and miserable, that 
Polly’s heart ached for him. 

0 Father Fisher,” she cried, this is very 
dreadful ! Oh, don’t look so ! ” seizing his hand; 

perhaps something will happen,” she added, 
brightening up, to make him believe that 
Phronsie is to belong to him.” 

There’s only one thing,” said the little doc¬ 
tor ; and he put his mouth to Polly’s ear and 
whispered something. “ Oh, no, no ! ” cried Polly, 
starting back, ‘Ot couldn’t ever be in all this 
wbrld, here ! ” 

Why not ? ” Doctor Fisher set his spectacles 
straight, and looked at her. 

Because — because, why, Phronsie should be 
married at home, and have the biggest wedding. 
Papa Fisher, you ever saw, and such a beauti¬ 
ful one ! Oh, no, no, no, no! ” cried Polly, who 
couldn’t stop herself, but felt as if she were 
racing down hill, and all out of breath. 

Wouldn’t it be better than not to have any 
wedding, Polly ? ” asked the little doctor slowly, 
and looking at her with his small keen eyes. 

“ Oh, dear me! yes, of course,” cried poor 



364 


PHEONSIE PEPPER. 


Polly in horror, and feeling as if the whole 
world were going awry just then. Not to have 
a beautiful wedding, such as Phronsie ought to 
have, just such an one as Polly had planned, 
oh, so many times in her heart, for the pet of 
the family! She drew away, and her eyes filled 
with tears despite all her efforts. 

Doctor Fisher paused a moment to give her 
time to recover herself, and looked very grave. 

A big wedding isn’t the best of all blessings,” 
he said ; and 1 don’t believe but what Phron¬ 
sie would prefer the quiet one — your mother 
thinks so.” 

^‘Does Mamsie think Phronsie better be mar¬ 
ried here ? ” asked Polly, feeling as if everybody 
were deserting her. 

She surely does, Polly,” said the little doc¬ 
tor. Well, I looked to you to influence Mr. 
King — but say no more,” as the others crowded 
around. 

Mamsie ! oh, when Polly found herself in the 
dear arms, and felt the dear eyes upon her, she 
seized Jasper’s hand. ^^0 Jasper, we’ll never let 
her go again,” she cried, in all this world ! ” 

But amidst the happiness of all being together 


ALL TOGETHER. 


365 


again, Polly carried around with her a heavy 
heart. She knew that the little doctor was dis* 
appointed in her; and somehow, when she saw 
the dear Mamsie again, she felt that this disap- 



*'Oh, when Polly found herself in the dear arms, and felt the dear 
eyes upon her." 


proval was shared by the one, whom, next to 
Jasper, she loved the best in the world. And 
in amongst all the delight with which the whole 
bunch of Peppers revolved around Phronsie, 



866 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


there was a little feeling of bitterness creeping 
up in Polly’s heart, that Phronsie herself was 
pining for something more that they must give 
her. 

Jasper found Polly so. ^^What is it, dear?” 

0 Jasper ! I’ve put it out of my head, but 
it won’t stay out,” cried Polly. “ Do you think 
that Phronsie and Poslyn should be married 
here ? ” 

I surely do, Polly,” said Jasper decidedly. 

What ? ” cried Polly, aghast, all her fine 
visions of radiance on Phronsie’s wedding morn 
tumbling at once. ^^Then, let us go to Mamsie,” 
she said humbly, and tell her we think so. 
Don’t let us stop to talk about it, Jasper; but 
we ought to go at once — this very minute.” 


EVEKYTHING DEPENDS ON POLLY. 367 


CHAPTER XXV. 


EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON POLLY. 


ASPER/’ cried Polly, do let ns go to Mam- 



sie; *’ so hand in hand they hurried off to 


Mrs. Fisher’s room. But she was not there. 

Oh ! now I know that Roslyn is worse,” 
mourned Polly, not to be comforted; and they 
would not tell me.” But Jasper said cheerfully, 
^^Oh, no, Polly ! probably Father Fisher has taken 
her out for an airing.” 

Jasper,” cried Polly in great remorse, if I’d 
only been willing ” — she heaved a sigh even now 
^t the thought of what might have been Phron- 
sie’s marriage-day had all gone well, then she 
put it resolutely down—^^had I just been glad 
to have her married here, perhaps he’d not been 
worse—but now, oh, dear me!” and Polly broke 
down, and sobbed on her husband’s shoulder like 
a child. 

He patted her head softly. Polly, hush, dear; 



368 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


let US go around to Eoslyn’s room, and see foi 
ourselves.” 

So Polly mopped her face as best she could 
with his handkerchief (she had forgotten her own), 
and away they hurried to the sick-room. There, 
sure enough, was Mrs. Fisher. 

Come in, Polly and Jasper,” she called, as she 
glanced up, and saw them in the shadow of the 
doorway. 

Polly, with her heart bounding in relief, crept 
in, hanging to Jasper’s hand. 

Eoslyn looked up from the pile of pillows 
against which he leaned, and smiled a wan little 
smile that lighted up his white face. 

^^Well, Polly,” he said, ^^and Jasper; so you 
are not out this morning ? ” , 

^^No,” said Jasper, seeing that Polly was past 
speaking; ^^but we shall drive to Pincian Hill this 
afternoon,” he added cheerily. Well, old man,” 
going up to the couch that was drawn to the win¬ 
dow, and taking up one of the long, thin fingers, 

you’ll soon be running around with us, the best 
one of all.” 

Eoslyn smiled wea^-ily, as if the effort were 
costing him much; then he shook his head. 


EVEBYTHING DEPENDS ON POLLY. 369 


Jasper/^ he said slowly, will tell you 
now, — as Phronsie is not in the room, — I shall 
never be well. Something will happen to sepa¬ 
rate us again.” 

Nonsense, old fellow!” exclaimed Jasper, not 
knowing what else to say, and taking refuge in 
those words. Why, Grandpapa is willing now, 
you know, for you to marry Phronsie, else why 
would he bring her ? You’re blue, Eoslyn; that’s 
all.” 

But Eoslyn shook his head, and reiterated. 
Something will surely happen to separate us 
again.” 

Meanwhile Polly was clutching Mother Pisher’s 
gown. “ 0 Mamsie I ” she cried, do come out of 
here ; I must talk to you.” 

‘ Must ’ will have to give way now, Polly,” 
said Mrs. Fisher, quietly going on with her work 
of preparing a gruel by a spirit-lamp over in a 
corner; for this ought to be done first.” 

Oh, do forgive me, Mamsie! ” cried Polly, 
dreadfully ashamed of her abruptness; I did 
not notice what you were doing. But as soon 
as ever you get through with that, do, will you, 
please, then come where I can talk with you.” 


370 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Mother Fisher gave her a keen look. ‘^Yes, 
Polly,” she said, I will, unless some other duty 
comes in between.” So Polly was forced to wait 
as patiently as possible until the gruel was done. 
Meanwhile she clasped her hands tightly to¬ 
gether, while Jasper and Poslyn talked ; afraid 
all the while that she should show her increasing 
dismay, as certain bits of the conversation fell 
upon her ears. 

At last the gruel was fed to Poslyn, his pil¬ 
lows shaken up, and Dr. Fisher coming in, Mrs. 
Fisher turned to Polly. 

‘^Jasper,” said Polly, holding out her hand. 

So the two followed Mother Fisher into a 
smaller apartment that opened into the sick¬ 
room, and Jasper closed the door softly; while 
Polly threw herself down on the floor, and buried 
her face in Mamsie’s lap in the old way. 

^^FTow, what is it?” asked Mother Fisher, 
smoothing Polly’s hair, as Jasper came and took 
a chair next to the two. 

0 Mamsie ! ” cried Polly brokenly, I do want 
Phronsie not to have the beautiful wedding at 
home, but to be married here. And do forgive 
me,” went on poor Polly, for not wanting it 


EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON POLLY. 371 


before — it’s Jasper now who has shown me how 
wrong I’ve been.” 

“ 0 Mamsie ! ” cried Jasper, who held Polly’s 
hand in both of his; indeed, she decided this 
herself. This is all Polly’s own idea.” 

He said he thought Phronsie ought to be 
allowed to have the wedding here, when I asked 
him,” said Polly; “ then I knew at once how 
selfish Pd been.” 

‘‘ Don’t say selfish, Polly,” begged Jasper. 

Polly,” said Mother Pisher, and her face 
lightened, do think you have saved Phronsie 
from terrible sorrow; for if you can persuade 
Mr. King to let her be married here, — and no 
other person can do it I’m very sure, as Phron¬ 
sie won’t speak, — you’ll see Koslyn well again. 
And nothing else will bring him up, the doctor 
and I both think.” 

I persuade Father King! ” exclaimed Polly, 
raising her head in dismay to look first at Mother 
Fisher and then at Jasper. ^^Oh, I never could 
in all this world ! ” 

I imagine you could for Phronsie,” said Mrs. 
Fisher slowly. 

^^But he has just brought her clear over here 


372 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


at a dreadful sacrifice to his feelings,” went on 
Polly in greater dismay; ‘‘ and then to be teased 
and urged to let her be married, and in a plain 
little way, here — oh, I can’t do it! ” 

‘ Can’t ’ is a word that you ought not to spell, 
Polly,” said Mother Pisher gravely. 

Polly shivered, and shrank down again into 
Mamsie’s lap. “ Oh ! I know you’ve been disap¬ 
pointed in me, Mamsie,” she cried, because I 
didn’t want Phronsie to lose the beautiful mar¬ 
riage-day we all want to give her at home.” 

Yes,” said Mrs. Pisher slowly, “ I was dis¬ 
appointed, Polly.” 

^^But Polly has come to see it all right now,” 
cried Jasper eagerly, and pressing Polly’s hand 
comfortingly. 

am glad of that,” said Mrs. Pisher, still 
smoothing Polly’s bright brown hair. 

I’ll do it,” said Polly at last, with a gasp, and 
getting up to her feet. Jasper put his arm around 
her, his eyes saying, I wish I could help you, 
Polly.” 

Polly better do it alone,” said Mother Pisher, 
and at once; for Mr. King is in his room 
reading.” 



EVEKYTHING DEPENDS ON POLLY. 373 


So Polly, feeling scarcely less miserable than 
she was before, since now she must inflict a great 
blow on dear Grandpapa, went slowly out into the 
hall, and on her errand. 

Old Mr. King, as usual, was in a terrible state 
over the newspapers. A little pile of them lay 
before him on the table waiting to be scanned, 
while he fumed and fretted over the one he held 
in his hand. Polly felt, as she obeyed his Come 
in to the timid rap she bestowed on his door, as 
if the worst time in all the day were chosen to 
proffer such a dreadful request. And for a mo¬ 
ment her heart stood still, and she did not attempt 
to enter. 

^^Come in,’^ commanded the old gentleman in 
such a dreadful roar that Polly trembled in every 
limb, while he marched across the long apartment 
and threw the door wide open. ‘^Why in the 
name of all that’s sensible, don’t you — oh, my 
goodness me, Polly child ! ” and he drew her in. 

He trembled inwardly as much as she, but with 
difficulty controlled himself to lead her to a seat. 

Now, then, Polly, my child, what is the matter ? 
Tell your old daddy.” Then, his fears getting the 
better of him, he broke out, — 


874 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


You’ve brought bad news. E-oslyn is worse ; ” 
and started for the door. 

Grandpapa — father dear,” cried Tolly, flying 
after him. 

Oh, it isn’t that! It’s — it’s — I’ve come — to 
— to ask you — ” 



The old gentleman led her back to her seat with 
a puzzled air, and stood in front of her waiting for 
her to proceed; then, seeing that she made no 




EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON POLLY. 375 


headway, he exclaimed in displeasure, Why, 
Polly, am I so very dreadful that you cannot 
come to make a simple request of me without 
all this fear ? ” 

Oh! it isn’t a simple request, dear Grand¬ 
papa,” said Polly, clasping her fingers nervously 
as she realized that all this was only making 
matters much worse for Phronsie and for Roslyn; 
yet for her life she could get no farther than 
“ it’s — it’s ” — 

Old Mr. King took a turn or two down the 
apartment, then came back to her with such a 
displeased countenance as she had never seen him 
wear before; at sight of which Polly forgot all 
the attempts at a proper introduction to her plea, 
and crying out, ‘^0 father, dear! do let Phronsie 
and E/Oslyn be married here; for Dr. Fisher thinks 
he won’t get well unless you do,” she threw her¬ 
self into his arms, and sobbed like a child. 

Is that all! ” exclaimed Mr. King, patting her 
brown hair. 

All! ” cried Polly, taking up her head sud¬ 
denly to look at him ; all. Grandpapa! Are you 
willing ? ” she gasped. 

The old gentleman smiled down at her. Child, 


376 


PHRONSIB PEPPER. 


I’m not only willing, I’m glad,” he said. ^‘Did 
you think I’d no more sense, Polly, than to make 
my little girl any further trouble ? They shall be 
married to-morrow if they want to be. Now send 
Phronsie here to me, just as quickly as you can 
fly for her,” he commanded, in such a merry tone 
that Polly laughed in glee. Seeing which, as it 
was what he had aimed at, he got so very cheery 
as he escorted her to the door and saw her down 
the hall, that she ran off on light feet. ^‘Tell 
her to hurry,” called old Mr. King as a last word 
before she disappeared. 

Why, man alive! ” said little Dr. Pisher, left 
alone with his patient, “I tell you, you are in 
a fair way to recovery, if you only think so.” He 
set his big spectacles straight on his nose, and 
glared at the white face on the pile of pillows 
in what he meant to be a reassuring way. 

Eoslyn May shook his head, and clasped his 
long, thin fingers together. 

Dear me! ” exclaimed Dr. Pisher, as he felt 
something coming in his eyes that caused him to 
pull out his big handkerchief, and blow his nose 
violently. ^Wou are the last man I should ex¬ 
pect to preach pluck to. You’ve had a double 


EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON POLLY. 37T 


allowance of backbone all your life, I take it/’ 
he added with a short laugh. 

I used to think that I was the possessor of 
one,” said E/Oslyn, weakly smiling. 

Land alive ! ” cried the little man, delighted 
at the smile, and getting cheerier than ever. 

You’ve set us all an example in grit and en¬ 
durance. Now, don’t be like a cow that gives a 
good pail of milk and then kicks it all over,” 
and he laughed again. ^‘That’s New England 
advice ; you know I was raised on a farm,” he 
added. 

I’ve had my death-blow in this fever,” said 
Eoslyn, the smile dying all out, and turning his 
face on the pillow. ^MVe shall only be separated 
again ; for Mr. King will never ” — 

The little doctor sprang to his side. He had 
fainted. And in the next few days, when the 
fever came back again, each one looked into the 
other’s face with despair. All except Phronsie 
herself. 

‘^Oh, I canwo?^ endure it!” It was Charlotte 
Chatterton who said this. Charlotte, who had 
just come, walking in suddenly, with no word of 
greeting, or expecting any. She just went up to 



378 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Mother Fisher, and put her two hands into the 
firm ones extended. 

‘‘ Hush! ” said Mother Fisher through white 
lips. You will say something you will be sorry 
for afterward, maybe, Charlotte.” 

Charlotte bit her lip. Let me help ; give me 
something to do,” she begged. ^‘No, 1 don’t 
want to go to Phronsie yet; it would kill me to 
see her suffer. I cannot bear it, dear Mrs. Fisher.” 

Charlotte, could you leave your lessons ? ” 
asked Mother Fisher suddenly. 

Yes,” said Charlotte, “ it was no use for me 
to stay away; I got so nervous I couldn’t sing; 
and even Herr Mericke said I best take a little 
time off, and come and see for myself how you 
were getting on. And then Ben’s last letter told 
me that things were worse than you had reported. 
And so here I am; ” and she drew a long sigh. 

‘‘ Charlotte, you don’t know how I have wanted 
you,” said Mrs. Fisher, drawing her to her side. 

Have you ? ” cried Charlotte delightedly. Oh! 
if I had only known how badly things were going, 
I should have dropped everything and come be¬ 
fore.” 

“ That is precisely the reason,” said Mother 



EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON POLLY. 379 


Fisher, why I wouldn’t let you be told, Char¬ 
lotte.” 

‘‘ Where’s Charlotte ? ” asked Phronsie, hearing 
some one call her name in Mamsie’s room. 

“You needn’t see 'her, dear; Charlotte will 
wait. Do, Phronsie, try and get some rest,” said 
Polly. 

Phronsie, in her soft white wrapper on the sofa, 
got up and went to the door. “ Is she in Mam¬ 
sie’s room ? ” she asked. 

“ I’ll call her,” said Polly, “ if you’ll only let 
me tuck you up on the sofa again, Phronsie.” 

“ Yes, I will, Polly,” said Phronsie, obediently 
going back, “if you will only call Charlotte in.” 

So Polly tucked her up, and then ran into 
Mother Fisher’s room. “ Charlotte, you’re to 
come,” she said, picking her by the sleeve. 

“ Oh, I can’t! ” cried Charlotte, edging off to¬ 
ward Mother Fisher. 

“ But you must,” said Polly imperatively, “ for 
Phronsie has sent for you.” 

“ Charlotte,” said Mrs. Fisher, with a smile at 
the tall girl, “ I’ll trust you.” 

So Charlotte went off, with her heart warmed, 
into Phronsie’s room; and Polly left them together, 


380 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


and ran away to comfort old Mr. King, who nowa¬ 
days would hardly let her out of his sight. 

“ 0 Charlotte, how good of you to come! ’’ 
cried Phronsie, putting up her lips to be kissed, 
as Charlotte went unsteadily over to the sofa. 

Charlotte kneeled down by the sofa, and got 
tight hold of Phronsie’s hands, mumbling some¬ 
thing, she couldn’t have told what, determined 
she wouldn’t break down. 

‘‘ Charlotte,” said Phronsie very earnestl}'’, you 
are not to feel badly for me, because I almost 
know that Koslyn will get well. I almost know 
it, Charlotte.” 

Charlotte gave a deep groan, and slid down to 
the floor, where she sat, hanging to Phronsie’s 
hands. 

“ God has kept him for me,” Phronsie went on; 
^^and he has brought us through just everything, 
Charlotte, and he is going to let Eoslyn get well, 
I know. And now I want you to help to make 
the others feel so too. Will you, Charlotte ? ” 

But Charlotte couldn’t speak. So Phronsie 
said, “1 am so glad you have come, Charlotte; 
for you can help Mamsie to see it—that Eoslyn 
will get well. Poor Mamsie is so tired too.” 



EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON POLLY. 381 


Charlotte buried her face in. Phronsie’s soft 
wrapper, and her shoulders shook with her efforts 
not to say anything that she was to be sorry for 
afterward.” 

And Polly is worrying,” said Phronsie as a 
matter of deep confidence, and a troubled look 
came over her face. 0 Charlotte! if you can 
only help Polly not to worry, it will be just beau¬ 
tiful in you. Will you, Charlotte ? ” 

Again Charlotte could not speak. “ Charlotte,” 
said Phronsie gently, wish you would let me 
see your face.” 

Charlotte brought her head up suddenly. Both 
cheeks were very red, and her lips were pressed 
tightly together. 

Charlotte ! ” exclaimed Phronsie with a sud¬ 
den fear; “ are you sick ? ” 

No,” said Charlotte explosively; but I am 
afraid I shall say something I ought not. 0 
Phronsie, if I only could help you! ” 

You can,” said Phronsie quietly. And 0 
Charlotte ! I am so glad you are not sick ; ” and she 
gave a relieved sigh. 

‘^1 can’t be any help to anybody,” declared 
Charlotte, except to work. I can work, ^f there’s 



382 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


anything to do, Phronsie; but as for influencing 
any one, or helping them to believe anything, l‘m 
good for nothing.’’ 

Charlotte,” said Phronsie affectionately, ^^you 
help me ever and ever so much. And so you do 
help every one of us. And I will tell you what 
you can do for me now. Will you sing to me, 
Charlotte, just those soft little things you used to, 
and hold my hand; and I shall go to sleep.” 

So Charlotte grasped the edge of the sofa 
tightly with one hand while Phronsie held the 
other; and sitting there on the floor, she sang over 
and over the things that she knew Phronsie 
wanted. 

Charlotte is singing to Phronsie,” cried David, 
rushing into Grandpapa’s room, where Polly and 
Jasper sat with old Mr. King. ^‘Mamsie said I 
was to tell you, Polly, so you needn’t worry, for 
now she will go to sleep.” 


THK LITTLE BROWN HOUSE THREATENED. 383 


CHAPTEK XXYI. 


DESTRUCTION THREATENS THE LITTLE BROWN 
HOUSE. 

OW/’ said Mr. Tisbett, see here, }■ oung 



1 ^ man, ef you’re a-goiid to ride along with 
me, you’ve jest got to set still. IMy senses, that 
ma of yourn would give me fits ef anythin’ was 
to happen to you; though why she should, I 
don’t see.” 

Let me have the whip,” cried Johnny, wrig¬ 
gling for the possession of that article. 

Xo, you don’t! ” declared IMr. Tisbett. ‘AYhoa, 
there! ” this to his horses. “ Xow, that Mis’ 
Lambert wants to go to th’ deepo. I’ll be bound,” 
pulling up to a big white house a little back 
from the road. ^^Yis’m,” as a handkerchief 
waved frantically out of one of the small-paned 
windows. 

want to go to Hubbardville, Mr. Tisbett,”. 
said the woman who held it. 


384 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Well, if you’re a-goin’ to Hubbardville,” ob¬ 
served the stage-driver, whipping out a big silver 
watch, I take it you better be steppin’ lively. 
Mis’ Lambert. I’m on my way to th’ deepo 
now, an’ I don’t come back this way.” 

Mercy me ! ” exclaimed Mrs. Lambert, darting 
away from the window; and in a minute or two 
she came out, catching her paisley shawl by its 
two ends to tuck them under her arm, while she 
endeavored to pin her bonnet-strings. 

“ Susan,” she called over her shoulder to some 
one in the entry, “ I’ve forgot my bag.” Then 
she took out one of the pins which she had 
hastily put into her mouth for just such emer¬ 
gencies, and pinned up the long ribbons that 
might be said to have seen better days. 

^‘1 wish folks would be ready when they hail 
th’ stage,” observed Mr. Tisbett to Johnny, not 
careful in the least to lower his voice from his 
ordinary tone. Then he roared out, Come, Mis’ 
Lambert, I shall have to go without you.” 

I’m coming ! ” said Mrs. Lambert quickly. 

^^Your bonnet ain’t on straight, ma,” said 
Susan, coming with the bag to the doorstone. 

Mrs. Lambert put up both hands, and twitched 


THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE THREATENED. 385 

it the wrong way, thereby letting the paisley 
shawl slip to the ground. 

That’s worse than ’twas before ! ” exclaimed 
Susan, giving the bonnet a pull that carried up 
one set of her mother’s puffs as neatly as if she 
had been scalped, and sent a side-comb flying to 
the ground. 

Never mind,” said Mrs. Lambert, putting out 
her hand for the comb, and beginning to look 
around for the shawl. ‘‘There, fling it on my 
arm; I c’n put it on in th’ stage.” 

Mr. Tisbett rattling his whip against the dash¬ 
board, she stepped off the stone at the same 
minute that Susan twitched the puff into place. 
“ You tell your pa he’ll find his clean shirt an’ 
stock on th’ bedroom bureau,” she called, looking 
back, “this aft’noon.” 

“ Yes,” said Susan. 

“An’ don’t forgit th’ meat bilin’ in th’ pot.” 

“No,” said Susan. 

“ Air you goin’ to git in ? ” asked Mr. Tisbett 
sarcastically, by this time holding the stage-door 
open, “ or air ye goin’ to hold conversations only ? 
Please let me know, ma’am, for I’m goin’ to start 
this ere stage.” 


386 


PHHONSIE PEPPER. 


Here was Johnny’s opportunity. He seized the 
whip, and brought it smartly down on the off 
horse, with the result that Mr. Tisbett was laid 
flat on his back on the roadside, — round went 
the wheels, up flew the horses’ heels, and, in a 
cloud of dust, Johnny was driving down the 
turnpike. 

‘‘ Th’ stage is goin’! ” exclaimed Mrs. Lambert, 
starting in dismay, and huddling up her bag 
and shawl in a small heap together on her arm; 
^‘now I sha’n’t get to Hubbardville. Oh, be you 
hurt ? ” as Mr. Tisbett picked himself up, and 
plunged down the road after his vehicle. 

He roared to some farmers at work in a fleld 
to help in the chase, pointing frantically to the 
lumbering stage ahead; but they had already 
stared at it, and now stopped to listen to him 
without stirring a muscle, as he dashed on. The 
only thing he could think of by way of possible 
comfort, was that the horses, through force of 
habit, might take it into their heads to go straight 
to the depot, which proved to be the case; Johnny 
being so paralyzed with the grandeur of driving, 
that he held the reins steadily all the way. 

The only passenger in the stage, a woman with 


THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE THREATENED. 387 


a big bandbox, got out more dead than alive, as 
the horses swung up to the little station; and 
the men collected there waiting for the train 
to come, wrenched Johnny, notwithstanding his 
howls, from his seat and down to the platform. 

^‘Who is that boy?’’ demanded the passenger 
when she could get her breath. 

He b’longs to Mrs. Fargo, one o’ th’ rich folks 
that’s stayin’ here this summer,” said one man, 
rolling his quid over to the other cheek. 

“ Eich, is he ? ” the woman set down her band- 
box, and advanced to Johnny. “ Well, I’m goin’ 
to shake that boy, ’cause I know his folks won’t; 
an’ I want to see it done.” And before any one 
could put up a hand, she seized Johnny’s sailor- 
collar, and shook him smartly. Then she picked 
up her bandbox, patted out her dress in satisfac¬ 
tion, and sat down to wait for the train. 

Mr. Tisbett, running along quite blown, came 
up just then, as Johnny ran to the woman. 

You shook me,” said Johnny, with blazing 
cheeks. 

^<1 know it,” said the woman grimly; ^^an’ if 
I had time before the train comes, an’ wasn’t so 
beat out with th’ shock, I’d do it again.” 



388 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Johnny clinched his small hands, and beat the 
air fruitlessly. ^‘Pll tell Mr. King/’ he howled. 

Hey ? What’s that you say ? ” cried the 
woman. 

“ I’ll tell Mr. King,” screamed Johnny, quite 
red in the face. 

What’s that boy got to do with the Kings ? ’? 
said the woman to Mr. Tisbett; hurry up and 
and tell me, ’cause the train’s cornin’. Mercy! I 
wouldn’t ’a’ shook anybody they know, for nothin’.” 

But there was no time to explain; and she was 
helped on the train, with her bandbox, saying the 
last thing, I wouldn’t have shook him for nothin’, 
if I’d known ” — 

There was only one passenger for Mr. Tisbett’s 
stage, — an old colored woman with a big-figured 
lace veil over her face and a variety of bundles. 
The stage-driver settled her and her belongings 
within the vehicle, then he turned off for Johnny. 

‘‘ Yes, sir-ee! ” dragging him along by his big 
collar; ^‘you’re goin’ to set inside, after that 
’xploit. Now, marm,” as they reached the stage, 
‘^will you have the goodness to keep an eye on 
that boy,” hoisting Johnny in; ^^an’ where do you 
want to stop ? ” 


THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE THREATENED. 389 

Mr. Jasper King’s/’ answered the woman. 
‘‘Land ! but ef here ain’t Johnny Fargo ! I done 
am s’prised ” — 

“ 0 Candace ! ” screamed Johnny, tumbling all 
over her, “ did you bring some red-and-white 
drops ? ” 

“Yes,” said Candace, “I did; but they’s fer” — 

“ Look out for him ! ” screamed Mr. Tisbett, 
clapping to the door to fly to his seat. Then he 
gave the horses their heads, and presently swung 
up to “The Oaks” in his usual fine style; for 
nothing but the best flourish would satisfy him 
there. 

Candace got out of the stage as leisurely as she 
could, with Johnny hauling at her, and insisting 
that he must carry all the bundles; and Mr. Tis¬ 
bett drove off toward Hubbardville. 

The big mansion was very still as Candace wad¬ 
dled up the carriage drive, with Johnny spilling 
portions of his armful as he went along, and 
then hurrying back to pick them up. “ Land ! ” 
exclaimed Candace, toiling on, “if I ain’t glad to 
get here to see my bressed folks an’ s’prise dem. 
I hain’t slept a week o’ nights sence dey done 
lef dere ole home. Whew ! Ise all out o’ bref.” 


390 


PHIIONSIE PEPPER. 


“We don’t want to buy anything,” said one of 
the maids coining out to the side porch, and 
looking at the big bag on the old colored woman’s 
arm, Johnny being back of the evergreens around 
one of the curves, picking up the last article 
dropped. 

“ Who’s asked yer to buy any ting ? ” demanded 
Candace in scorn, and seating herself on one of 
the steps, utterly unable to go farther. “ Yer 
speak to Mrs. Jasper King as quick as you kin, 
or to him.” 

“ Mrs. Jasper King isn’t home. They aren’t any 
of them home; they’ve gone abroad,” said the 
maid. 

“ Whar’s abroad ? ” screamed Candace, letting 
her bag roll out of her hands to the ground. 

“ Oh! over to England; and then they were 
going to Kome,” said the maid coolly. 

“ 0 my bressed chilluns ! ” mourned Candace, 
swinging her heavy body back and forth on the 
step, while she wrung her black hands. Johnny 
staggered -up with all the parcels. 

“ It’s Candace,” screamed Johnny. “ Hannah, 
don’t you know, she lives where I do when I’m 
home, and where Mr. King used to live before 


THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE THREATENED. 391 


lie came here. Now will you give me some red- 
aiid-wliite drops ? ” He deposited all the bundles 
on the floor of the porch, and hugged up to the 
big black figure. 

Hannah ran to call Mrs. Higby, who sent her 



'“O my bressed chilluns ! ’ mourned Candace.” 


for Mrs. Fargo ; but she had gone over to Grand¬ 
ma Bascom’s, it being her morning for that duty, 
so the maid hurried down the lane to the little 
cottage. 0 Mrs. Fargo ! she exclaimed, hur- 




392 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


riedly entering. Oh ! where is she ? ’’ as the old 
lady sat up against her pillows, the only occupant 
of the room. 

Hey ? ’’ said Grandma. 

Where is Mrs. Fargo ? called Hannah ex¬ 
citedly. 

I can’t hear what you say/’ replied old Mrs. 
Bascom, putting one hand behind her ear. 

I say I want to know where ” — 

^^No, I don’t want anythin’,” said Grandma, 
dropping her hand, and settling back into a good 
position again. I’m pretty comf’able this morn¬ 
ing, Hannah.” 

^^Do you know where Mrs. Fargo went to?” 
cried Hannah in a loud, excited key, and running 
everything together. When did she leave here ?” 

Hey ? ” cried Grandma. 

So Hannah had to shout it all over again, till 
she was quite exhausted; then she began to con¬ 
tent herself with one word, “Fargo,” which she 
said over and over. 

“ She’s just gone,” at last said old Mrs. Bascom. 

“ Where ? ” cried the maid, her mouth close to 
the old lady’s cap-frills. 

“Down to th’ village to get me some med’- 


THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE THREATENED. 393 


cine/’ said Grandma. So Hannah flew out and 
over home, and Mrs. Higby sent one of the men 
in a pony-cart for Mrs. Fargo. By this time Can¬ 
dace was in a truly dreadful state with longing to 
see the face of this old friend. As that lady 
used to go with members of the King household 
to the little shop on Temple Place, the poor 
old black woman thought if she could only catch 
a sight of Mrs. Fargo, she would somehow get 
nearer to her ^^bressed chilluns,” 

How she does act, doesn’t she, Mrs. Higby ? ” 
cried Johnny, who now gave up all thoughts of 
the red-and-white drops, and crowding up to com¬ 
pass as much of this new excitement as possible. 

Hum! I don’t know as she’s any worse actin’ 
than some other folks not a thousand miles 
away,” said Mrs. Higby. ‘^Well, I wish to good¬ 
ness your ma would come; ” and she hurried to 
crane her neck out of the window. Kow, thank 
fortune,” she cried joyfully, here she is ! How, 
Johnny, you run off an’ play, that’s a good 
boy,” as Mrs. Fargo hurried in. 

Johnny, thus dismissed, ran down the terraces, 
and over in the direction of the little brown house. 
He was never allowed to go in it without a maid, 


394 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


but this morning he determined to peep in one of 
the windows, Just to see if everything’s there,” 
he said; and then, after that performance was over 
to his satisfaction, he began to play that he was 
really going in, and that he lived there, just as 
the little Peppers had told about so many times. 
And then he tried every door; and at last, to his 
astonishment, found the one in the ^‘Provision 
Room ” unlocked, as a careless maid who had been 
cleaning there that very morning, under Mrs. 
Higby’s direction, had left it. 

Oh, goody! ” cried Johnny gleefully, racing 
in; ^‘now I’m a little Pepper. I’m Joel — no, I 
don’t want to be Joel. I’m David — no, I don’t 
want to be David, either. I’ll be Ben — I’ll be 
Ben and Joel and David and all of ’em,” he 
declared, hurrying around. ^^Now, what shall I 
play first? I’ll —I’ll” — 

His eyes fell on the stove. I’m going to have 
a baking-day all to myself! ” he cried in joyful 
tones, and capering in the middle of the kitchen. 

Oh, won’t that be fine! And when they see 
what splendid cakes I can bake, they won’t care. 
Phooh! I can make better things than any of ’em, 
I b’lieve. And I know how to make the fire too.” 


THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE THREATENED. 395 


He was now so busy that the old kitchen pre¬ 
sented the appearance of being the scene of the 
most active operations of a dozen small boys, as 
he brought flour, trailing it all over the neat floor, 
and sugar and molasses from the buttery, leaving 
a chain of sticky drops everywhere he stepped, to 
run and get the rolling-pin and handsful of dishes. 

^‘1 better make my fire first,’^ he said in the 
midst of this, and dropping everything where he 
stood. ^^Now I must get the paper and the 
wood; ” and he scuttled off to the “ Provision 
Room ’’ to bring them in. Then, stuffing them 
into the stove as tightly as he could cram them, 
Johnny backed off, and surveyed his work in great 
pride. 

Now, I know where the matches are kept,” he 
cried in a jubilant voice — “in the little blue dish 
on the shelf; ” so pulling up a chair, he soon had 
them in his hand, and drawing one as he ran back, 
he had a merry little light that made him crow 
gleefully. 

“There, now, sir-ee!” he'cried, holding this to 
a bunch of paper that stuck up one end out of the 
stove; “ you’ll burn, I guess, when I get hold of 
you. Yes, sir-ee! ” but the fire running down the 


396 


?HRONSIE PEEPEE. 


match-end and nipping his fingers, he twitched 
them off, to wipe them hastily on his blouse; 
what there was left of the match tumbling down 
back of him, in a small heap of paper and shav¬ 
ings that wouldn’t go into the stove. 

Johnny rubbed his hands together joyfully, and 
hopped up and down before the stove. Oh, 
what cakes I will bake ! ” he cried. And per¬ 
haps ni put white on top of some of ’em; I 
haven’t decided yet. And I’ll make a gingerbread 
boy — I’ll make a dozen gingerbread boys — I’ll — 
Just here his little legs felt warm; and he 
backed off from the stove and whirled around to 
cool off a bit, to see the heap of papers and 
shavings on the floor, in the merriest little blaze 
imaginable, while one small tongue of flame 
reached out and licked his blouse. 

Johnny gave one scream and rushed out; the 
little tongue of flame persisting in staying on his 
blouse, while the other little flames left behind in 
the old kitchen, every second growing big and 
strong, were having a-jolly time of it. 

^^Fire!^^ screamed Johnny, leaving wide the 
Provision Room ” door as he bounded off across 
the lane. 



Johnny whirled around to see the heap of papers and shavings on 
the floor in the merriest little blaze imaginable. 































THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE THREATENED. 399 


<< Hillo ! ” cried Patsy, who came around the 
palings to look at him, but not hearing what he 
said as he rushed madly off for the terraces. 
“ Oh, murther— murther ! ’’ 

He cleared everything between Johnny and 
himself by one or two bounds, and soon had him 
rolling over and over on the grass. ‘‘Now, to 
make absolutely sure,” said Patsy at last, “I’m 
going to turn the hose on ye. Been building a 
bonfire somewheres, I s’pose.” 

“ There’s more of it in there,” said Johnny, and 
finding his voice to point a shaking finger in the 
direction of the little brown house. 

“ Where?” 

“ There.” 

No need to ask now. Smoke was coming out 
of the little brown house “ Provision Boom ” door. 
Patsy yelled “ Fire ! ” as loud as he could scream, 
and dashed down to it. In less time than it takes 
to tell it, every man on the place was busy, work¬ 
ing with a will to save the little brown house. 
The big mansion was deserted of all. Even Can¬ 
dace forgot her misery and desolation, to waddle 
as fast as she could to the scene, wringing her 
hands and crying as she v/ent. 


400 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


CHAPTER XXVII. 
phronsie’s marriage bells ! 

H, the dear, precious little brown house! 



V_y How they worked — every man, woman, 
and child on the place — to save it! There was 
no time for the fire-department down in the 
village to get there, although the private alarm 
from The Oaks ” was sounded. What was to 
be done, must be done quickly; and everybody 
took hold and did the thing that seemed nearest 
and best. 

Mrs. Higby passed pails of water as rapidly 
as if her hands and feet were young; prefer¬ 
ring the old-fashioned ways of putting out a fire 
to the long lines of hose that the stable-men 
soon had in and around the little brown house. 
Candace, who immediately found that when she 
could work for her bressed folks ’’ she wasn’t 
lonely, waddled in and out, carrying everything 
she could lay her hands on, out to the grass 


^HilONSIE’s marriage Eells. 40l 

in safety, despite the fact that she was invited 
several times by the workers who didn’t know 
her, to get out of the way.” 

Git out ob de way, you’d tell me, pore w’ite 
trash, you! ” Candace would mutter to herself 
at such times, smothering her wrath as best she 
could till she was sure the little brown house 
was safe; then she would teach these servants, 
one and all, that she was a relict,” and had 
lived with Mr. King’s folks long before they 
were born. “ Tink dey kin teach me,” fumed 
Candace under her turban, waddling on fiercely. 

And after the last vestige of the dreadful 
flame was out, and the smoke cleared away, it 
was found that nothing was burned that would 
bring sorrow to one of the Five Little Peppers.” 

Mamsie’s rocking-chair, in which she used to 
sit in the old days, sewing the coats and sacks 
to keep the wolf from the door, was carried out, 
the little old cushion blazing at one end; but 
quick hands had beaten out the fire, so this was 
saved. And though the fire had run along 
the trail of shavings and paper dropped from 
Johnny’s armful, as he carried it in from the 
«Provision Koom,” strange to say, beyond mak- 


402 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


ing dreadful black marks on tbe old kitchen 
floor to show its progress, and the scorching of 
the cupboard door, no damage was done. And 
then everybody drew a long breath, and stopped 
working, to gaze into each other’s faces; for the 
little brown house was safe! 

And just then up clattered the village fire- 
department, and right back of them appeared 
Alexia, who, coming out of the post-office to drive 
to The Oaks,” when told the news, made her 
pony run at top speed, so that she reached the 
scene almost at the same moment. 

Patsy, who always ran to Mrs. Dodge’s aid, 
saw her first, and tore across the lawn, to catch 
the reins as she flung them to him. 

Is it the little brown house ? ” gasped Alexia, 
not daring to look in that direction, as she jumped 
out. 

^‘Yes, ma’am,” said Patsy. 

Is it gone ? all gone ? ” she screamed. Then 
she sat right down on the bank, and burst into 
tears. 

“No, ma’am!” cried Patsy; “sure it’s not.” 

“Not out ? Oh, dear, dear, dear! ” cried Alexia, 
waving back and forth in distress; “it will kill 



phronsie’s marriage bells. 


403 


them all. A\ e might as well all be dead as to 
have the little brown house burnt up. Oh, dear 
— dear — dear ! ’’ 



"'We might as well all be dead, as to have the little brown house 
burnt up,’ said Alexia.” 

It’s there ! ” cried Patsy, extending all the fin¬ 
gers of one hand to point at it; “a-standing just 
as nice and ” — 



404 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Alexia sprang to her feet, and seized his arm. 

Patsy ! ” she cried, do you mean to tell me that 
if I turn around I shall see the little brown house 
the same as ever ? ” 

^^Yis’m,” said Patsy; ^^if you opens your eyes 
you will.” 

Mrs. Dodge whirled around and took one look; 
then she sped on light feet over the terraces and 
across the lawn. 

She rins like a birud would fly,” said Patsy, 
watching her ; dishdainin’ the ground like ” — 
then he hopped into her cart, and drove it around 
to the stables. If ye could turn yere hose onto 
that boy as did it, it ud be a blessing,” he said 
to the firemen. 

Don’t say a word,” said Mrs. Higby, flushed 
and anxious, Johnny’s badly burned; and you 
must run for Dr. Porter, Patsy.” 

Burned is he ? ” cried Patsy, and his face fell; 
for Johnny was a great favorite of his, despite 
his words; and he rushed off in Mrs. Dodge’s 
pony-cart. 

Alexia, after first satisfying herself by investi¬ 
gation that the little brown house was really 
safe, and that the precious things huddled out on 


phronsie’s marriage bells. 405 

the grass were not all burnt up, rushed off to find 
some one who could tell her all about it. The 
first person she ran against was Candace*. 

^^Oh, my goodness me !cried Alexia gustily; 
how did you get here, Candace ? ” 

ICs a mercy I did come,’’ said Candace, not 
stopping to answer the question; <‘for I don’ 
know wot dey’d done widout me. Wy, I brung 
out mos’ o’ dem tings,” sweeping her black arm 
over toward the household treasures on the lawn. 
I brung de little cheer, an’ de ” — 

^^Yes yes,” said Alexia. ^MVell, how did it 
ever happen ? ” 

An’ I brung de tea-kettle an’ de plates an’ ”— 

Yes, well, never mind those now! ” exclaimed 
Alexia impatiently; do tell me, how did it ever 
happen ?” 

Chile,” said Candace, ^^nebber min’ how it 
done happen — de ting now is, who had sense 
enough to ’tend to gettin’ out de tings. Wot 
dey’d done ef I hadn’t a-come I d’no eber in all 
dis worl’ ” — 

Hannah! ” cried 'Mrs. Dodge in despair to the 
maid hurrying by, do you know ? Tell me, how 
came the little brown house to be on fire ? ” 


406 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Johnny Fargo went in and played making a 
fire/^ said Hannah. 

Johnny Fargo ! Oh, the little scamp ! ’’ cried 
Alexia; now that boy ought to have a good 
drubbing,” she cried, quite beside herself. 

There can’t anybody give it to him,” said 
Hannah, hurrying on, because he’s burnt, and 
the doctor’s coming.” 

Oh, the pore leetle lamb ! ” exclaimed Candace, 
raising her black hands; ‘‘ now I must nuss him. 
He was so good to bring up my passels, an’ to 
wait on me in — well, well, I d’no know wot 
dey’d have done ef I hadn’t ‘ a’ come; ” and she 
waddled off, Mrs. Dodge closely following, re¬ 
morsefully determining to do everything in the 
world now for Johnny instead of the drubbing. 

And so it turned out that the two letters in 
her pocket she had just taken out of the post- 
office when she heard of the fire, remained there 
forgotten until the doctor had dressed Johnny’s 
burns and gone, and she had Mrs. Fargo on the 
sofa in Polly’s room, where they had fled for 
refuge. 

There, now, you ought not to cry, you know, 
Mrs. Fargo,” she said. Oh, dear me ! what would 


phronsie’s marriage bells. 407 

Polly Pepper say to you if she were here ? I’m 
good for nothing; but you really ought not.” 

Oh, I cannot help it! ” cried Mrs. Fargo, deep 
in her handkerchief. My poor little boy ! and 
then to think of that precious house — why, if 
he’d set this one on fire, it wouldn’t have been 
one-half as bad.” 

Well, it didn’t burn up,” cried Alexia, twitch¬ 
ing her sleeve, so what’s the use of crying now. 
Oh, dear me—why, here are the letters !” and she 
tore them out of her pocket. One for you, and 
one for me — from Polly ! ” and in a minute she 
was deep in hers. 

Mrs. Fargo, just commencing to read the head¬ 
ing of her own letter, heard a funny little sound; 
and glancing up, saw Alexia making every effort 
to speak, her face working dreadfully. The letter 
had fallen from her hands to the floor. 

Oh ! what is it ? ” cried poor Mrs. Fargo, feel¬ 
ing that this day must be bewitched, and dread¬ 
ing she knew not what; and she jumped up, too 
frightened now to cry, and ran to Polly’s toilet- 
table for salts. 

Eead — read — your letter! ” gasped Alexia. 

^^Oh, I can’t, if it’s bad news!” cried Mrs. Fargo, 


408 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


slirinkiiig and trembling. “Where are they — oh, 
here ! She brought the bottle of salts, and held 
it to Alexia’s nose. 

“ Phronsie Pepper is married! ” cried Alexia, 
twitching away her head. 

“ Phronsie Pepper is married ? ” repeated Mrs. 
Pargo blankly. 

“ The very day that Polly wrote,” declared 
Alexia tragically; then she made a dive for her 
letter on the floor. 

“Eead it. Alexia,” begged Mrs. Fargo, “for I 
can’t; ” and she sank down on the sofa, and 
wound her arms around Mrs. Dodge. 

“And Pm sure I want to hold on to somebody 
too,” declared Alexia. Oh, dear me, Mrs. Fargo, 
to think you and I won’t ever see Phronsie mar¬ 
ried ! Oh, dear, dear ! ” and the tears of vexation 
sprang to her eyes. “And it will almost kill 
Polly not to have the wedding here — and all the 
hosts and hosts of friends Phronsie Pepper has, 
and — what shall we do ? ” 

“W^e can’t do anything,” breathed Mrs. Fargo; 
“ it’s already done — do read it all,” she added 
faintly. 

So Alexia dashed ahead, — 


pheonsie’s marriage bells. 


409 


“ ‘ Hotel Costanzi, Rome, July, 18—. 

^ Dear Alexia, — 

^ You are to be very glad to begin with, at the 
piece of news I shall tell you right away. And 
that is, that Phronsie was married this morning 
to Roslyn May.’ — 

Glad ! Indeed I’m not! ” cried Alexia; to go 
and steal such a march on you and me and all her 
piles of friends, Mrs Fargo — and such a wedding 
as we’d have given her.” 

^^The precious dear,” murmured Mrs. Fargo. 

Go on. Alexia.” 

Alexia sniffed off two or three disappointed 
tears, and rushed on, — 

^ It was just this way. You see, Roslyn, poor 
boy, got it into his head that Grandpapa would 
separate them again, though of course that was 
the fever, and because he had suffered so much 
since he had last seen Phronsie; and although he 
got better, and it seemed as if he were coming up 
finely, he brooded so over that idea that Papa- 
Doctor got quite in despair. And then Father 
King ’ —• 

Can’t you see Polly’s face when she is going 
to tell something splendid about Mr. King,” cried 


410 


PHRONSTE PEPPER. 


Alexia, glancing down the page. Oh, dear me! 
— where was I,” going back again, oh, — ^ and 
then Father King was just royal! He told 
Phronsie that all he cared for was to make her 
happy, and that nothing would make him so 
happy as to have the marriage take place here ; 
and they were just going to tell Koslyn, when 
Papa-Doctor sent them word that Eoslyn was 
worse. And then those were just dreadful days; 
for the fever came back, and Phronsie smiled 
when we looked troubled at her; but she was 
just like a shadow — so thin and so white. 0 
Alexia, I can’t bear to think of those days ! 
Charlotte Chatterton came from Germany, and 
she was such a comfort; but we all just clung 
to each other in despair. Only Phronsie kept 
saying she knew Eoslyn would get well.’ 

^^This is very dreadful,” sniffed Alexia, wiping 
away the tears furtively. At last she just let 
them rain down. I’m a miserable, selfish little 
pig,” she said, ^^not to be glad to have her mar¬ 
ried there.” 

^^0 poor Phronsie!” sighed Mrs. Fargo, ‘^and 
poor Polly, and all.” 

^ And — and ’ ” went on Alexia recovering 


phronsie’s marriage bells. 


411 


her place in her letter, ^ and one day when 
everything seemed the blackest, and as if we 
couldn’t bear it another minute longer, Koslyn 
came up again. And then Grandpapa told him 
how everything was to be as he wished. Well, 
from that moment. Alexia, the world was bright 
again, and the sun shone, and we all were as 
glad as glad could be : and Roslyn just adores 
Grandpapa. You can’t think how devoted they 
are to each other. And so everything was quickly 
arranged — for who do you think should drop 
down suddenly but Roslyn’s father. General May! 
Now, wasn’t that perfectly lovely! I always sus¬ 
pect that Father King sent for him, though he 
doesn’t say so.’ 

Just think how all those people had Phron- 
sie to themselves,” mourned Alexia, who, now 
that Roslyn was mending, returned to her own 
grievances. And Grace Tapper too — she was 
at that wedding; and Pickering and you and I, 
Mrs. Fargo, left out in the cold.” 

I know it,” sighed Mrs. Fargo; well, go 
on. Alexia.” 

‘‘ Oh, dear me ! well, where was I ? Oh — ‘ and 
so this morning Phronsie and Roslyn were mar- 


41^ 


PHRONSIE PEt»PEit. 


ried. Koslyn was very weak; but he was lifted 
out of his chair, and insisted on standing dur¬ 
ing a part of the ceremony. And Joel married 
them beautifully. And Grandpapa gave Phron- 
sie away.’ 

Oh dear, dear! ” screamed Alexia, quite car¬ 
ried out of herself, why couldnH we have been 
there ! 

^ And Eoslyn’s just as beautiful and splendid, 
and he’s my brother now,’ ” Polly’s letter went on; 
<^^and I’m so happy. Alexia, about it, you can’t 
think. And Phronsie wore one of her white 
muslin dresses, and carried the white prayer-book 
that Eoslyn gave her; and she was married with 
his mother’s ring he had worn all these years. 
And Eoslyn looked like one of the pictures of the 
young gods, he was so handsome; and Phronsie 
— well, she was our Phronsie ! Oh! and Eoslyn’s 
work, begun in his studio, is considered most re¬ 
markable. He is surely, so we are told on all 
sides, to be one of the foremost sculptors of 
the age. And you can’t think how proud Grand¬ 
papa is of him ! ’ 

^ And now, you poor dear ! I know how badly 
you feel not to have Phronsie married .at home.’ ” 


pheonsie’s maeriage bells. 


413 


Alexia gave a deep groan, as if words were 
beyond her. 

^ And that you couldn’t even see her married. 
Well, now. Alexia, Phronsie wants me to tell you 
a- piece of news, a secret just yet, only for you 
and Pickering and dear Mrs. Fargo to know. 
Roslyn and she are to live in the little brown 
house; and he is to build a studio in the meadow 
back of it, and not go to Rome only once in a 
while, when they want to travel. Did you ever 
hear of anything so splendid ! ’ ” 

Alexia squealed in delight; then her sallow 
cheek turned quite white. Mrs. Fargo,” and she 
clutched that lady’s arm, suppose, only suppose 
for an instant, that it had burned down this 
morning! 

^ And we are to give her and Roslyn the most 
beautiful marriage reception. Oh, you can’t think 
how beautiful it will all be at The Oaks ” when 
they come home ’ — 

Oh! ” squealed Alexia, again seizing Mrs. Far¬ 
go by the arm; now, you and I will have our 
good time, won’t we, for being cheated out of all 
the rest ? It’s too splendid for anything! Mrs. 
Fargo, I never thought of the welcome-home 


414 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


party we could give them! Why, that will be 
almost as good as having Phronsie married here; ” 
and she jumped off the sofa, and began to pirou¬ 
ette around the room. ^^But how can we ever 
plan it with Polly away ? and she came to a 
sudden stop, her brow wrinkling in perplexity. 

“ You better finish your letter,” advised Mrs. 
Fargo. “ Polly probably has something to say on 
that point. Then you can jump. Alexia, all you 
want to.” 

So Alexia flew back to her letter. Where was 
I ? Oh — at ^ The Oaks ” when they come home. 
We are coming first, Jasper and I, with the chil¬ 
dren and Grace, who has been the dearest little 
comfort in all this world. Joel and David, of 
course, must get back as soon as possible, so they 
are coming with us. Ben will stay with Mamsie 
and Dr. Fisher, and Grandpapa and Phronsie and 
Eoslyn, a few weeks longer; and then they will 
all come home together, and bring Charlotte Chat- 
terton with them.^ 

Oh, goody, goody ! ” exclaimed Alexia, beating 
her palms together in joy. And I’ll venture 
to say that then you’ll see I’m right, my dear 
Mrs. Fargo, about Charlotte Chatterton and Ben.” 


phronsie’s marriage bells. 


415 


Maybe so,” said Mrs. Fargo wisely. “Well, is 
that all ? ” 

“ Um — um — let me see,” said Alexia, whirling 
the letter again; “ yes, except — ^ I have written 

. a letter with all these details to dear Mrs. Fargo 
— and I know you go to see dear Grandma Bas- 
com every day. Alexia; and do tell her all this 
that I have told you, and that, please God, we 
shall be home, the first party of us, very soon 
now. And then, dear, won’t you and I plan for 
Phronsie’s home-coming! ’ 

“ Won’t we, though ! ” cried Alexia with shining 
eyes. “Well,” drawing a long breath, “I must 
hurry off and tell Grandma Bascom all the news; 
and then, says I, I must let that blessed baby 
know all about it.” 


416 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 


HOME TO THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE. 

OLLY and Jasper and the children were home 



A once more, and everything was back in the old 
ways, with Joel in his parish, and David in his 
instructor’s chair at the college. And now an 
intense excitement filled all the minds of the 
“ Peppers ” and their friends over the approaching 
Welcome Home” they were to give Phronsie. 

It shall be just as splendid as the wedding 
would have been! ” declared Alexia positively. 
‘‘ Just as bride-y and stunning as it can possibly 
be! ” she would cry, on one of her rushing-in-and- 
out visits to The Oaks.” 

“ Do tell me, are the Dunraven Home children 
surely to be here ? ” she asked one day, burst¬ 
ing into Polly’s room, to find her surrounded by 
a cloud of white muslin, and clashing her scissors 
in and out of little skirt breadths. Oh, my good¬ 
ness me 1 what are you doing, Polly P^per ? ” 


HOME TO THE LITTLE BBOWN HOUSE. 417 


cried Polly happily, and sending her 
scissors down another breadth; ‘‘and these are 
their dresses, Alexia. Don’t you want to get 
another pair of scissors, and help cut off the 
skirts ? Miss Bangs down in the village is go¬ 
ing to make them.” 

Yes, indeed! ” cried Alexia, plunging over to 
Polly’s neat work-basket. Oh, dear ! ” as she 
rummaged it; I can’t find another pair, Polly ! ” 
“ In the sewing-room,” said Polly, fluttering 
the cloud busily, to measure another breadth. 

^‘I’ll set that basket to rights when I come 
back, for I’ve messed it up dreadfully,” cried 
Alexia, flying off, to.return with 'a pair which she 
brandished high. ^^Oh, dear me, Polly Pepper, 
will you ever in this world get through with all 
you’ve on your hands, I wonder! How many 
Dunraven youngsters are coming ? ” 

‘‘Twenty,” said Polly, her head on one side, 
calculating; “ that is, Mrs. Henderson thinks that 
it is safe to plan to bring as many. And Susan 
is really to sing a Welcome-Home song, as they 
march around Phronsie and Roslyn.” 

“ Oh, how perfectly sweet! ” breathed Alexia, 
already deep in the cutting-off process. “ Dear 


418 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


me, how do you keep yours straight ? Mine all 
skews up.” 

^^You better draw a thread, then,” advised 
Polly ; unless you can follow your eye.” 

My eye is as crooked as can be,” declared 
Alexia; “ Pm in such a twitter. Well, isn’t it 
just too lovely that Susan is really to sing. 
Phronsie will be delighted. Dear me, don’t you 
remember how Susan roared that first day she 
came, and how she looked — little black image, I 
can see her now, sitting up there on a cricket on 
the platform. I was frightened to death, and ex¬ 
pected she’d break the whole thing up; and now 
Ifiow good she is, and quite the pride of Phronsie’s 
heart.” 

“ Oh! it will be a perfect surprise, I think,” 
hummed Polly ecstatically. Oh! and the village 
children are going to be at the station when the 
trains gets in, with baskets of flowers, and throw 
blossoms in Phronsie’s path.” 

Are they ? ” cried Alexia in delight; “ oh, 
my! ” 

Yes, they’ve begged to,” said Polly; and we 
are going to let them do whatever they wish. 
Phronsie belongs to them too. Alexia, you know.” 


HOME TO THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE. 419 


“Yes, I know,^’ said Alexia. 

“ Polly! called Jasper, over the stairs. 

So Polly threw down the muslin cloud, and ran 
to meet him. 

“Here’s Mr. Tisbett wants to say something,” 
said Jasper with a smile. “ Now, then,” to the 
stage-driver, “ say just what is on your mind, Mr. 
Tisbett.” 

“I want to know,” began Mr. Tisbett, shuffling 
uneasily from one foot to the other, “ ’hem — if 
you’ll let me drive Miss Phronsie an’ her husband 
home here from the deepo ? ” 

“ I don’t understand,” began Polly. 

“In the stage, ye know,” said Mr. Tisbett. 
“If ye could now let me, I’d be ’bleeged to ye. 
Seems if ’twould set me up fer th’ rest o’ my life. 
I want to do somethin’ fer that blessed child I’ve 
seen grow up from a baby;” and he covered his 
face with his big hand. 

“ And so you shall! ” cried Polly, seizing his 
other horny palm, and ashamed of herself for the 
dismay that swept over her at this plan, that 
would deprive Jasper and her from driving Phron¬ 
sie and Koslyn up to “The Oaks.” “Indeed, it 
is lovely of you, Mr. Tisbett, to think of it; ” 


420 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


which thrilled the honest stage-driver with de¬ 
light to his finger-tips. 

An’ I want to hev the priv’lege to drive yer 
par up too,” said Mr. Tisbett, turning to Jasper a 
face covered with confusion. Land, but when I 
think how I shook him up that fust time he ever 
come here, — an’ I can’t never forget it, — I want 
to do somethin’ fer him too.” 

Father forgot all about that a long time ago, 
Mr. Tisbett,” said Jasper simply, ^‘and so must 
you.” 

^^Land, but you can fergit a thing teetotally 
when you’re the one it’s done to,” said Mr. Tisbett, 
scratching his head awkwardly. Well, if he’ll 
only fergive me enough to let me drive him up too. 
I’ll be mortally obleeged.” He peered anxiously 
into Jasper’s face. 

can answer for father,” cried Jasper heartily; 
that he’ll be glad to have you drive him up here, 
and it’s very kind of you to think of it;” and he 
shook the honest stage-driver’s hand so cordially 
that Mr. Tisbett shambled off delightedly. 

And the old church where Phronsie had gone 
since babyhood, and Mr. Henderson had preached 
so long, was to peal its new chimes for the first 


HOME TO THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE. 421 

time when she came back to Badgertown again. 
This the people had begged. The meeting-house 



■■ 'An' I want to hev the priv’lege to drive yer par up too,’ said 
Mr, Tisbett." 


was still standing it is true; but it had been 
IMr. King’s work, when he gave up his old home 







422 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


to be with Polly and Jasper, to make it just such 
a church as Badgertown had longed for. 

Oh, and Grandma Bascom was to be brought 
over in a chair, and have the seat of honor on the 
lawn; for this was to be an out-of-door fete for 
Phronsie, when the day after the arrival the 
wedding-party at The Oaks would take place, 
to which all Badgertown was invited, in addition 
to the hosts and hosts of other friends. 

And the Beebes and Mr. and Mrs. Babbidge 
and the “ Scrannage girls,” all had very especial 
invitations; Miss Sally composing a neat little 
piece that would tell Mr. King how thankful they 
were for the old home saved to them, and that 
would supplement nicely Miss Belinda’s stiff note, 
written after the first shock of finding the check 
was over. For the old Scrannage pride had some¬ 
how melted away, in a fashion that probably 
would have surprised the old squire, who had 
not much else to hand down to them but his 
crotchety disposition and the mortgage. And 
Bella Drysdale was invited to stay a few days 
with Grace, who was in the seventh heaven of 
delight that Phronsie Pepper was now really 
her cousin. 


HOME TO THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE. 423 


And dear Mrs. Beebe had a pretty new cap that 
had a great deal of pink ribbon about it, that 
Phronsie had bought abroad for her, and sent 
home by Polly. Barby and Elyot begged so hard 
to carry the box containing it down to the little 
shoe-shop, that they were bundled into the pony- 
cart one fine morning, and Johnson took them 
down, each holding fast to the box between them. 
And old Mr. Beebe protested, at the trying on 
that began at once, that he never had seen a cap 
in all his life that was so beautiful nor so becom¬ 
ing — oh! and the shops in the village were all to 
be closed on the day of the fUe, so that everybody, 
old as well as young, could be at ‘‘The Oaks.’’ 
And the long supper-tables were to be set on the 
upper lawn, and the lower as well, where the ter¬ 
races ended; and the little brown house, filled like 
a very bower of flowers, would be open from morn¬ 
ing till night to guests — for was not this to be 
Phronsie’s own dear, sweet home ? 

Oh! and the ground was broken a little dis¬ 
tance off in the beautiful old meadow, where the 
“ Five Little Peppers ” used to play when any 
moments in their busy childhood allowed; and 
there, near the old apple-tree, was to be laid 


424 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


the corner-stone — a beautiful block of marble 
from Eoslyn’s Eoman studio — of the new studio 
that was to rise very soon. And this was to be 
put in place on the fUe day. 

Was there anything that was beautiful and 
bright and joyful that was not to be crowded 
into that blessed day ? 

And Johnny Fargo, his burns all well, after 
many repentant talks cuddled up in Polly’s lap, 
was comforted. And one day he tugged in a poor, 
lean cat, found nobody knew where. She’ll 
like it,” he said stoutly, when she comes borne; 
and I shall give it to her.” 

And every farmhouse dotted here and there 
around the hill that overtopped Badgertown 
Centre had letters from city folk for the next 
two weeks, to know if they would take boarders 
about that time, and there wasn’t a farmer’s 
wife who said ^^No.” And the hotel in Hing- 
ham had all it could do to get ready for the 
friends who were going there. And the steamer 
was hurrying over the sea, that was bringing 
Phronsie and her husband, Grandpapa, Mamsie, 
little Doctor Fisher, Charlotte Chatterton, and 
Ben. 


HOME TO THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE. 425 

At last the day arrived, one of September’s 
most golden ones, when Mr. Marlowe telegraphed. 

Steamer in. Take the 12.10 train for Bad- 
gertown.” And all the good old town, in wait¬ 
ing for this same beautiful message, hurried to 
the little station, at the signal from the church 
chimes. 

The schoolma’am down at the little school- 
house on the road to Spot Pond dismissed her 
scholars instantly on the first note, and tied on 
her bonnet, locked her door, and put the key 
in her pocket, to hurry off with the rest. 

Over the roads to the little station they came 
by twos and threes, and in wagons and carryalls, 
and everything that could be drawn by a horse. 
And down around the hill wound an ox-team 
or two ; and every child held a little nosegay — 
and then there were the flower maidens, gay 
with their baskets of blooms. Oh, old Badger- 
town was in its gala dress ! While as for the 
small station, when they arrived it looked like 
a flower-garden indeed ! 

“ How can we ever wait, Jasper ? ” cried Polly, 
the color flying in and out of her cheeks, as they 
found their way out^ from among the groups of 


426 


PHBONSIE PEPPER. 


waiting people, to the end of the platform; isn’t 
it almost time they should be here ? ” 

Almost,” said Jasper with shining eyes, and 
looking at his watch for the fiftieth time; ^^only 
ten more minutes, Polly, and the train will be 
due.” 

Ten horrible minutes ! ” cried Polly, wrinkling 
her brows. 0 Jasper! keep me off here, or I 
shall disgrace myself before Barby and Elyot. 
They are so patient,” with a glance in their 
direction. 

Good reason why,” said Jasper with a laugh; 
they’ve all those flower-girls and nosegay chil¬ 
dren to supervise. See ! they are in the very 
thickest of the crowd, Polly.” 

Well, they must come with us,” said Polly in 
a tremor, ^‘or they’ll lose the first sight. Oh, do 
bring them, Jasper ! ” 

^^And Johnny and King,” cried Jasper, flying 
off. ‘‘ Here, you children, the whole bunch of 
you, this way ! ” 

But Barby and Elyot, deep in the charms of 
the Badgertown children, were so excited that 
they did not hear. ^H’ll get ’em,” said Johnny 
running up; and immediately he dashed off and 


HOME TO THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE. 427 

flushed and triumphant, brought the two little 
Kings. 

Children,’’ said Polly with a happy ring in 
her voice, you’ll lose seeing Aunt Phronsie and 
Uncle E/Oslyn come in if you do not stand close 
by papa and me. Thank you, Johnny,” with a 
bright smile to him for telling them.” 

^^And I’ll get King now,” cried Johnny, his 
little heart bumping with pleasure that he had 
helped Mrs. King. “ Hooray, here. King! ” and 
he flashed off at a sight of him in one of the 
groups, while Barby and Elyot, aghast at what 
they might have missed, clung close to Polly’s 
hand. 

Just then up stepped the first selectman, and 
touched his hat, We’ve arranged a place for you, 
Mr. King and Mrs. King and family,” he said, 
^^if you’ll come this way.” And he led off im¬ 
portantly through the groups of townspeople, to 
whom Polly nodded happily and Jasper raised 
his hat, to the other end of the platform. And 
there, on a staging a little higher than the plat¬ 
form, and trimmed about with evergreens and 
flowers, was a little waiting-place reserved for 
them. 


■ 428 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


^^Oh, how perfectly lovely, Mr. Bunce,’^ cried 
Polly, “ for you to do all this for us ! ” 

“ It is so good of you/’ said Jasper heartily. 

Ye can see the train come in around the 
curve,” said Mr. Bunce straightening up, with con¬ 
scious pride in every feature of his face. “ And 
the conductor’s goin’ to stop it right at this pint. 
Glad you like it all, Mr. King,” he said; ‘‘ th’ 
s’lectmen’ll be pleased.” 

Indeed, how could we help it!” cried Jasper 
with feeling. We shall never forget all that 
you have done this day, Mr. Bunce.” 

When’ll the train come ! ” begged Barby, pull¬ 
ing the first selectman by the arm; say, when 
will it ? I want it very much, I do.” 

‘‘Oh, you’ll see her a-comin’ around that curve 
pretty soon,” said Mr. Bunce, taking her soft little 
palm in his stubby one./ “ Look sharp, now 1 ” 

So Barby stood on tiptoe, and Elyot and the 
other boys did the same. 

“I’ll get you a chair to stand on,” said Mr. 
Bunce, hurrying into the station .to bring one out; 
then he put Barby on it. “ And now I’ll get Lev. 
Mr. Pepper and Mr. David, for you want to be 
all together; ” and he shambled off, Elyot and 


HOME TO THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE. 429 


King and Johnny swarming upon the chair to 
look over Barby’s fat little shoulders. 

I don’t believe it will ever come,” began 
Barby, as Joel rushed up and swung her to his 
broad shoulder with Elyot on the other, and David 
hoisted King. Johnny stuck to the chair, when 
— Here it comes ! Ifere it comes! ” and all 
the white handkerchiefs came fluttering out, as the 
country folk hurried up; the children with the 
flower-baskets, drawn up in two lines, gathered 
fcheir hands full of pretty blossoms; the old stage, 
decked with garlands and festoons, with Mr. Tis- 
bett resplendent in his Sunday clothes on the 
box, drove up around a waiting corner with a 
flourish, to the platform front. And there was 
Phronsie and Roslyn! and old Mr. King, his 
handsome white head bared to the sun, was bow¬ 
ing to right and to left, while Mamsie and little 
Doctor Fisher, with Ben and Charlotte Chatterton 
brought up the rear. 

And then arose a mighty cheer from the throats 
of the village people! And the flowers were 
strewn, and the little nosegays were thrown, and 
the whole bunch of Peppers, big and little, passed 
up through the blossom-covered path. And Phron- 


430 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


sie was helped into the old flower-decked stage 
right gallantly by Grandpapa, who turned, and 
bowed low to the Badgertown people. I thank 
you, my dear friends,’’ he said, for this tribute 
to the one whom we all love.” And then Jasper 
said something to him in a low voice. And 
thank you, Mr. Tisbett,” said old Mr. King, his 
hat still in his hand, and he put up his other 
palm to grasp that of the stage-driver’s, for ask¬ 
ing me to drive up too.” 

Mr. Tisbett thought he should fall off from the 
driver’s box with pride and delight after that. 

And then away — Phronsie smiling into the 
faces of the village people, and E-oslyn, tall and 
handsome beside her, bowing his thanks for this 
tribute to her. Was there ever such a home-com¬ 
ing before ? 

Now, if it won’t rain,” gasped Alexia, on the 
edge of it all, “ to-morrow, 0 Pickering! ” as they 
ran for their dog-cart, and drove off to “ The 
Oaks,” by a short cut. 

Never you fear. Alexia,” said Pickering; ^^and 
if it does, nothing can spoil this Badgertown wel¬ 
come. It was the finest thing possible.” 

That may be,” said Alexia; but ^ The Oaks ’ 


HOME TO THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE. 431 

fete to-morrow — that will be absolutely perfect. 
Do hurry, Pickering; we must get there to see 
them drive up.’’ 

And it not only did not rain on the morrow, 
but was another golden day for Phronsie. The 
arches were all up on the lawns at an early hour, 
and so was the marriage-bell of white orchids; 
while the Dunraven children were in readiness 
to march, to be followed by Susan’s ^^Welcome- 
Home” song. The rose-trimmed tables couldn’t 
take on another blossom ; while as for the little 
brown house — well, it was a bower of roses, from 
the old front door clear through to the Provision 
Doom.” 

And Phronsie, in her soft white gown trimmed 
with white orchids, and her tall young husband, 
destined to be so soon famous, moved around with 
old Mr. King to all the groups, welcoming and 
making happy every one — for it was to be an 
all-day fete, with music and games for the little 
ones, and flowers, collation, supper, and wedding- 
cake for everybody. 

And Jasper was toast-master when everybody 
was seated at the long rose-trimmed tables, and 
right royally did he manage that ceremony. And 


432 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


Mr. Bunce, the first selectman, responded for the 
town of Badgertown, covering himself with glory; 
and Grandpapa responded for Phronsie right gal¬ 
lantly. And then she rose in her place by her 
husband, in the centre of the table, and Boslyn 
stood by her side. I thank you all very much,’’ 
said Phronsie in a clear voice, for all you have 
done for us. We shall never forget it. And we 
love you very much indeed, and we are glad to 
make our home here with you in dear old Badger¬ 
town.” 

And then everybody got out of their chairs, 
and waved their handkerchiefs, — a white, flutter¬ 
ing cloud, — and tears of joy were on many 
cheeks; and then Koslyn May was called on for 
a speech, and a splendid one it was too, that 
all the village folk cheered mightily. And Mr. 
Mason Whitney and Mr. Marlowe spoke, and 
Ben and David, and there were many calls for 
Joel. And Pickering Dodge had a word or two 
to say; and Bev. Mr. Henderson, oh ! — it was a 
goodly wedding-breakfast, and,” as Alexia said, 
just absolutely perfect.” 

“ Oh, dear, dear, dear! ” she gasped to Mrs. Fargo, 
after the feast was over, “ it seems as if I couldn’t 



'*The little children from the Dunraven Home marched around Phronsie 
and her husband, each giving her a v/hite rose as they passed.” 











































HOME TO THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE. 435 


bear any more bliss. But do look at Charlotte 
Cbatterton and Ben. Now will you tell me there 
is nothing in it ? ” 

‘‘1 didn’t say there was nothing in it,” said 
Mrs. Fargo with a keen glance at the two. 

But you were cool as an oyster when I tried 
to tell you about it long ago,” retorted Alexia. 

Oh, dear me ! — well, we mustn’t stand here talk¬ 
ing; they are going to dedicate the studio now, 
and lay the corner-stone.” 

And when this was over, and the block of 
marble from Roslyn’s studio from across the sea 
was laid in place on the old Badgertown meadow, 
to be made famous over two continents, then, at 
a signal from Eev. Mr. Henderson, the little chil¬ 
dren from the Dunraven Home marched around 
Phronsie and her husband, each giving her a 
white rose as they passed. And Susan sent all 
her young heart into her Welcome-Home ” song; 
and everybody applauded her, but she saw only 
Phronsie’s smile. 

Whoever would have thought that little black 
creature, that terrorized us all so that Christmas 
Day at Dunraven, would turn out such a beauti¬ 
ful singer ? ” said David. 


436 


PHRONSIE PEPPER. 


A good many things turn out differently from 
what we expect/^ said Mamsie with a smile, and 
that’s the best of it.” 

Joel looked into Amy Longhead’s blue eyes, 

Yes, that’s the best of it,” he said. 

Well, the best of all this beautiful /ete was 
yet to come. It was at sundown, when some 
of the people, those who had far to drive, were 
beginning to talk of going home, and were gather¬ 
ing up their little children and saying “ good-by.” 
Jasper called Attention ! ” and announced that 
his brother, Mr. Roslyn May, had something to 
say to them all. So they turned back where he 
stood with Phronsie by his side in the centre of 
the lawn; and when the large circle was formed, 
and all was quite still, he said in a strong, clear 
voice, — 

My wife wishes me to tell you that she 
desires to mark this beautiful day by a gift to 
the people of Badgertown, to show her love for 
you all. She has therefore asked her brother Jas¬ 
per to buy for her the Peters homestead, and all 
the land belonging to it, and to keep this purchase 
a secret until to-day. Added to this, she pre¬ 
sents to the town this check,” he held it aloft^ —^ 


HOME TO THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE. 437 


those who were nearest could see that there were 
several figures upon its face, — that a free library- 
may be built and maintained, imposing only one 
condition, and that is, that the name of the 
library shall be the ^ Horatio King Library of 
Badgertown.’ Mr. Bunce, as first selectman, will 
you take charge of this bit of paper ? ’’ 

Didn’t the people cheer then ! The echo of 
it seemed to reach to Badgertown’s very centre. 
And some one ran down and set the church-bell 
to ringing again, a merry peal. And with those 
joyful notes in their ears, the country folk drove 
home to their farmhouses, casting many a back¬ 
ward glance at the Five Little Peppers,” and 
the little brown house, over which the golden 
gleams of the setting sun were falling. 
















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